STOCKTON & O'NEIL TWP, CA BIOGRAPHIES 1879

BIOGRAPHICAL AND DESCRIPITIVE

MATTER PERTAINING

TO OUR ILLUSTRATIONS FROM

STOCKTON AND O'NEIL TOWNSHIPS.

1879

C. BEHERNS is a native of Germany. He came to America in 1868. He started in business in 1879 in Stockton with C.W. Dohrmann, keeping a general store. They were soon compelled to extend their business. After continuing the grocery and general merchandise business for over a year, Mr.Behrns purchased the crockery portion of the establishment. He has now the largest stock of crockery in Stockton, and in fact anywhere on the coast, outside of San Francisco. He carries as stock of crockery, glassware, plated ware, china, cutlery, and house furnishing goods, amounting to about $12,000. He occupies two floors of a building 25x75 feet, which cost him $9,000. He buys direct from the manufacturers, and only sells American crockery and glassware of American and foreign manufacture. In 1875 he made a visit to many of the manufactories in New York, Buffalo and Pittsburgh. A view of his establishment is given in this work.

JOHN C. BYERS was born in Washington Co., Pa., July 14th, 1824. He came overland to California in 1861, and settled in Stockton in that same year, and has been engaged successfully in the practice of law ever since. In 1873 he was elected District Attorney. He has a very extensive practice in nearly all the counties in the State. From 1858 to 1860 he resided in Nebraska, and was a member of the first Republican Territorial Convention. He was a delegate from California in 1868 to the Republican National Convention at Chicago that nominated General Grant for the Presidency. He spent the summer of 1868 in Pennsylvania, and in 1876 paid his native State another visit. Mr. Byers spent about a year in the mines, about twenty miles from Denver City, Colorado. He owns six hundred and fifty-seven acres of land in Tulare township, lying on the west side of the San Joaquin River, and has it all under cultivation. A view of Mr. Byers' residence in Stockton will be found elsewhere.

CASTELLI & WEBER, are proprietors of the fine saloon corner of Scotts Avenue and Center Street, at which place they commenced business in 1868. F. CASTELLI is a native of Germany, and was born in Baden in 1824, of Swiss and Italian parentage. He came to America in 1848, and to California via Panama, 1852. He remained in the Calaveras County mines until 1856. He is the owner of one hundred and forty acres of land in Castoria township, lying on the San Joaquin River. The land is timber and pasture land, and is not under culitvation. JOSEPH K. WEBER was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 18th, 1832. He came to the United States in 1849, and lived principally in New York until 1857, in which year he came to California by the Panama route. He first settled in Valley City, Calaveras Co., where he remained two years. He then returned to New York, in which city he stayed about a year, and then came again to California, and settled in Stockton, which he has since made his residence. He has made two trips to Germany and three to New York since settling in California. A view of Castelli & Weber's place will be found elsewhere.

ALEXANDER CHALMERS was born in Ontario, Canada, February 24th, 1842. He came to California by the way of Panama in 1864, and went into the employ of his brother George at Coloma, Eldorado Co., whose business he conducted until 1868, at which time it was discontinued. He then came to Stockton and entered the dry goods business under the firm name of Chalmers & Wallace. The firm was dissolved at the expiration of four months, and Mr. Chalmers continued in the same business alone until 1872, when his brother purchased an interest with him. From that time until 1878 the business was conducted in the name of Chalmers Bros. In. April, 1878, the firm was dissolved, and Mr. Chalmers bought out E. E. Washburn, 194 and 196 Main Street, and is now doing a good business there in foreign and domestic dry goods, under the name of Alexander Chalmers. His residence, corner of Eldorado and Lindsey Streets, was purchased of John Sedgewick. A view of his place is given elsewhere.

F. R. CLARKE is proprietor of the Stockton Business College, Telegraph Institute and Normal School. This College was organized in the year 1875, and is situated on the corner of Hunter Street and Weber Avenue. The first year the attendance was one hundred and twenty-five; the second, two hundred; the third, tweo hundred twenty-five. The Normal Course includes all studies in which teachers are required to be perfect, in order to obtain first grade certificates. The Fall Business Course includes all kinds of Book-keeping, the writing of every description of Business Papers, Higher Mathematics, Real Estate, General Agency, Post-Office, College, Express, Business College, Bank, Wholesale Merchandising, Insurance and Commissions. The same course includes English Grammar, Penmanship and Actual Business. The Business Department is about sixty feet square, and can accomodate one hundred and fifty scholars. The College employs three Professors, one Professor of Book-keeping, one graduate of a Normal School, Teacher of the Normal Department, and one Teacher of General Business. A view of this Institution is given on another page.

COMMERCIAL HOTEL, Stockton, is situated on Main Street, about six blocks from the depot. The house was built in 1874 by George F. Smith, at a cost of from $25,000 to $30,000. It was two stories high, and 90x75 feet in dimensions. In 1878 a third story was added, at a cost of $5,000, improving the appearance of the building very much. The house was leased by F.C. Hahn in 1875, and has since been managed by him. The Hotel contains sixty-one rooms, and was entirely re-furnished and re-carpeted in 1878, and has now all the appurtenances of a first-class hotel. Under the management of the courteous and accommodating proprietor, it has achieved a wide and deserved reputation among travelers who visit this coast, -a popularity that Mr. Hahn, by his energy and geniality, is not only maintaining, but daily increasing. A view of the Commercial will be found on another page.

CHARLES W. DOHRMANN was born June 21st, 1846, at Schleswig, Germany. He came to California in 1864, and settled in Stockton in the same year. He was a clerk in the employ of Smallfield & Dohrmann until 1869. Mr. Smallfield having died in the meanwhile, Mr. Dohrmann bought out his brother, who had been partner in the firm, and carried on the business for about three years. He disposed of his business, and went into the insurance business, which he has since followed. Mr. Dohrmann claims to be the originator of the practice of insuring growing crops in the field, and has met with marked success in that branch of the business. He is part owner of thre hundred and fifty acres of land in Elkhorn Township, and leases fifteen hundred acres of Tule land, the cultivation of which is under his personal management. A view is given of Mr. Dohrmann's residence.

LOUIS GERLACH was born in Prussia, Germany, April 25th, 1836, and came to the United States in the year 1853. He lived in Philadelphia for two years when he came to California, and settled in Stockton in 1855. He has followed the busienss of butcher and dealer in cattle ever since his arrival here, having now a large market on Eldorado Street between Main Street and Weber Avenue. He is the owner of sixteen hundred acres of land in Tulare township, situated on the San Joaquin river, all of which he has under cultivation. The land has produced, for the past five years, an average of twelve bushels of wheat to the acre. His first residence is Stockton is on Flora Street, and was erected in the year 1861 by Major Orr. It cost, including the improvements and changes, about $4,000. He is now erecting on the corner of First and Channel Streets a two story brick store, at an expense of $9,000.

JOHN E. GROSS was born in Hesse, Germany, on the 28th of November, 1837. He came from his native land to California in 1853, taking the Isthmus route. He settled in Stockton, and engaged in the butchering business, which has since continued to be his occupation. From 1864 to 1869 he resided in Virginia City, Nevada, but in the latter year returned to Stockton. He owns a half interest in twenty-seven hundred acres of land, about three hundred of which are in this county. This land is rented out, and a portion of it is used as pasture land. Mr. Gross resides on the corner of Center and Park Streets, in the city of Stockton. His handsome residence was erected in 1871 by Henry Austin, at an expense of about $6,000, A view of his residence will be found on another page.

I. D HAMILTON was born on the 16th of March, 1822, at New Lisbon, Ohio. He moved to Cincinnati in 1839, where he entered a dry goods store. He came across the plaons in 1849, and went to the Mariposa mines. In January, 1859, went home again by the Isthmus and New Orleans, being one of the first to return from the State. In 1850 he again crossed the plains, taking his family with him. He settled in Stockton in 1850. He rented the Original Rough and Ready Ranch, and was one of the first who turned their attention from gold hunting to farming. His crop was a failure, and in 1851 he moved to the Sonora road, in the same county, and kept the Charter Oak House for a short time, then purchased the Twelve Mile House, Sonora Road, which he kept until 1864, farming one thousand acres of land at the same time. In 1864 he went into the boating business in Stockton, in which he is now engaged. He built the steamers Fresno and Tulare, and ran them up the San Joaquin river and to San Francisco. In 1868 he sold out and engaged in the real estate business. In 1872 he purchased the steamer Clara Belle, sixty tons, and in 1878 the Empire City, one hundred tons. He uses them to tow barges, of which he sometimes has nine, collecting and distributing freight along the rivers, transferring at Stockton. Was married at Dayton, Ohio, in 1847, to Elenor Evans. Has three children. Purchased his elegant residence in 1868 for $5,000, and has since put $16,000 in improvements on it. It stands alone on a block, and is surrounded by beautiful trees, walls, etc. See view elsewhere.

MILTON P. HENDERSON was born in Lincoln Co., Maine, November 13, 1833. In 1858 he came to San Francisco by the Panama route, and remained there until June, 1859, when he moved to San Joaquin Co., and settled in Stockton. He was in the employ of W.P. Miller, until 1861, when he removed to Calaveras Co., in which county he resided until 1865. In that year he again came to Stockton and entered the establishment of W.P. Miller, with whom he remained until 1869. In 1869, he formed a business partnership with E.G. Clark, unde the name of Henderson & Clark, and established a carriage manufactory, which he has since continued. Mr. Clark withdrew from the firm Sept. 28, 1874, and Mr. Henderson has since conducted it alone. He does a general business of manufacturing Wagons, Carriages, Buggies, Buckboards, &c., and is prepared to do all kinds of new work and repairing. His pay roll contains fifteen names, seven Ironworkers, three Woodworkers, three Painters and two Trimmers. His shop, which is 50x50 feet and three stories high, is situated on the corner of Main and American Sts., was built in 1878-9, at a cost of $8,000. A view of this establishment is given elsewhere.

HENRY H. HEWLETT was born October 28, 1832, on Long Island, N.Y. At the age of fifteen years he assumed the management of the home farm. In 1859, he borrowed some money, laid in a stock of goods worth $2,000, and brought them as baggage to California, coming by the Panama route, arriving in San Francisco August 23, 1859. He realized about 100 per cent on his investment. He spent about six months in the mines of Tuolumne Co. In 1851, he formed a partnership with his brother John and N.J. Avery, and embarked in the grocery and dry goods business in Stockton, under the name of Avery, Hewlett & Co. A short time after, E.F. Jones was admitted to the firm. They started a branch store in 1852, at Rattlesnake creek, under the name of E.J. Smith & Co., Smith having an interest. Mr. Hewlewtt spent six months there and then the store was sold out. He and his brother bought out Avery & Jones, and his brother sold to S.W. Collins, of San Francisco, in 1855. In 1857, he established a grain bag factory in Stockton; he also in that year, managed the Franklin Flour Mill, corner of Levee and Beaver streets. In 1858, the firm of Hewlett formed a co-partnership with his former partner, E.F. Jones, under the name of Jones & Hewlett, and bought out Stanford Bros. Was one of the founders, in 1867, of the Stockton Savings and Loan Society, and in 1868, the capital was $500,000, of which he owned one-fourth. In 1871, he bought out Mr. Jones' interest in the firm of Jones & Hewlett, and the next year sold out to his brother. In 1871, was elected President of Stockton Branch Home Mutual Insurance Co., also Director of the California Trust Co. In 1868-9, he purchased 20,000 acres of land in Stanislaus, Merced and Fresno Cos., and afterwards sold one-third, for what he paid for the whole. In 1872, he started the First National Gold Bank of Stockton, owning most of the stock and being elected President. The next year he was elected cashier and manager, which office he has since continued to hold. Mr. Hewlett has visited the east four times, in 1853, 1868, 1869 and 1876. He was married at Stockton December 12, 1854, to Miss Ellen M. Powers. Mrs. Hewlett died August 11, 1875, leaving one son and one daughter. Mr. Hewlett purchased his elegant residence on Oak, between Center and Eldorado streets, is 1874, a view of which is given elsewhere.

E. HICKMAN, 206 Main street, Stockton, was born in Lewes, Delaware, 1830. He entered a dry goods store in Philadelphia, in 1847, as a clerk. In 1851, he came across the Isthmus, and by the steamer Panama to this State. He went at once to Stockton, and entered as clerk in Beeker & Hickman's grocery store. In 1855, he formed a partnership with Wm. H. Gray, and embarked in the dry goods business, where he now is, under the firm name of Gray & Hickman. He had a store at Murphy's Camp, Calaveras Co., from 1853 to 1856, which was conducted in the name of Haynes & Co. For a time had control of the Big Trees. In 1873, he bought out Mr. Gray and has been doing business alone since. In 1874, he tore down the old store, and erected the handsome two story and basement building, which he now occupies. The building is of brick, faced and strengthened with iron, and cost $14,600. he occupies the whole building, with the finest stock of Dry Goods, Carpets, Kid Gloves, Silks &c., in Stockton, the second story containing a line of carpets, as large as can be found on the coast, and sold at as cheap prices. The establishment is divided into five departments, all ably managed. He owns 2,000 acres of land in Stanislaus Co., all devoted to grain and wheat raising. He was married July 24, 1856, in Stockton, to Miss H.V. Fisher, and has two daughters. Is a stockholder in the Cherokee Lane Road and some others, and a heavy taxpayer. A view of his block will be found on another page.

T. K. HOOK, corner of Weber Avenue and Grant street, Stockton, was born November 11, 1816, in Greene Co., Pa., removed to Vigo Co., Indiana, in 1836, where he resided until March 4, 1849, when he set out for California, going across the plains. He arrived September 9, 1849, and spent six weeks mining at Winter's Bar and Angel's creek, but with little success. He then went to Stockton the same year, and helped build the first store ever built on the corner of Main and Center streets, also the building on the S.W. corner of Center and Market. He went to the mines at Horse Shoe Bend, on Merced river, in the spring of 1850, but only remained a few weeks on account of ill success, and returned to Stockton, and engaged in building until fall. Was one of the company that were piloted by the noted Guide Redmond, in search of the silver mines, said to have been discovered across the mountains by enigrants. This expedition was a disastrous failure. He returned to Stockton and engaged in ranching on the Calaveras river, until 1857, when he sold out and engaged in the livery business until 1861, in Stockton. In 1861, he was elected Sheriff of San Joaquin Co., on the Republican ticket, which office he held two terms. Was elected Mayor of Stockton in 1868. He also servd three terms as Alderman, and one as President of the City Council. Was married in Septemberk, 1869, to Mrs. A.C. Greenfield, in Stockton. Has no children living. He erected the fine business block on the corner of San Joaquin and Main streets in 1868, at a cost of $40,000. The first floor is occupied by stores, second by rooms, and third by societies. A view is given elsewhere.

KULLMAN, WAGNER & CO. are propiretors of the Pacific Tannery, corner of Oak and Eldorado streets. The business was established in 1853, under the name of J.C. Wagner, and continued thus for three years, when it was changed to Wagner Bros., (J.C. and Chas. Wagner) which firm controlled the business until 1869. Mr. J.C. Wagner retired in 1869 and Mr. Moses Kullman was associated with the firm, the name being changed to Kullman, Wagner & Co. About three years later, Mr. H. Kullman was also admitted to the firm. In 1874, Jacob Satz purchased an interest in the business. In 1878, November 6th, Moses Kullman died. They make a specialty of teaming harness and sole leather, which they claim cannot be excelled in the State. They also manufacture a superior article of skuting leather, kipsand calf-skins. The Tannery is 150x300 feet, and contains all the improved machinery for compressing the leather and grinding the bark. They have the only wet tan furnace in the State, by which they burn the bark as it comes out of the vats. They have taken first premiums at all the San Joaquin Co. fairs, and silver medal from Mechaincs Institute at San Francisco in 1871. The Tannery was burned in 1867, 1871 and 1875, and the last time it was rebuilt with brick. They are large purchasers of Hides, Pelts, Goat Skins and Tallow. Their sales are principally in California and Oregon, though they ship to Japan, New York and Boston. A view of this place is given.

E. J. MARSTERS, corner of Washington and California streets, Stockton, was born in Nova Scotia in 1825 He went to Boston in 1845 and learned the trade of a carpenter, and managed a carpentering business of his own there until 1855, when he came to California, crossing Nicaragua. He went to Placer Co., near Auburn, and mined there and in Tuolumne Co., until 1866. In 1867, he commenced business in wood and iron work at Copperopolis, Calaveras Co., and in 1874, moved his establishment to Stockton. In 1875, he invented Marsters' Self-Feeder, which he patented in 1877. The Feeder seems to meet the requirements that have been lacking in others, namely a steady, constant and equal feed, and is well received and highly spoken of by the farmers as being just the thing wanted in threshing grain. He has also invented a horse elevator for loading sacked grain from a pile into a wagon. He has also invented a windmill, "The Tempest," with a self-regulating attachment on an entirely new principle. It is the most simple and contains the least parts of any banded wheel mill in existence. It has been in use for three years, but was not perfected intil 1878. He manufactures his inventions at his shop, and in addition, does general wood and iron work. A view of his feeder, &c., will be found elsewhere.

WILLIAM F. MCKEE was born in Westmoreland Co., Pa., December 2d, 1824, and came to California in the year 1851. He came direct to Stockton, and made that city his home until his death, which occurred at his residence September 4th, 1875. He was clerk in the Post Office, and afterwards assistant postmaster for three or four years. He then engaged in the grocery business, as a member of the firm of Owens, Moore & McKee, and afterwards was a member of the firm of Shippee & McKee, corner of Hunter and Main streets, for a number of years. He built and owned the fine business block which stands on the southwest corner of Main and Hunter streets, known as the "McKee Block," (a view of which will be seen on another page.) He began the erection of the beautiful house in which his widow, Mrs. L.M. McKee, now resides, but had not finished it at the time of his death; the work was completed by Mrs. McKee.

WILLIAM C. MILLER, of Stockton, was born in Union Co., Indiana, December 9, 1824. His father removed to Niles, La Porte Co., in the same state, in 1828. In 1849 Mr. Miller made the tedious journey across the plains, and resided in Eldorado and Sacremento Counties until 1851, when he came to San Joaquin Co., which he has since made his home. He has been engaged in the business of raising, buying and selling cattle and sheep. He owns 13,000 head graded sheep in Fresno Co. He has 436 acres of land in O'Neil Township in this County, which he has rented. The soil is black adobe land. He is the manager of the warehouse in Stockton owned by his brother, Gen. John F. Miller, who lives in Napa Co. He erected his large and elegant residence in 1874 at an expense of $7,000. It is situated on the northeast corner of Sutter and Fremont streets. He made a trip back to Indiana in 1852 to settle up his father's estate, his father having died in 1850. A view of Mr. Miller's residence is given elsewhere.

A. C. PAULSELL, President of the Farmers' Co-operative Union, Stockton, was born in Greene Co., Tenn., 1832. He moved to Springfield, Mo., in 1842, where he afterwards entered a general store as clerk. In 1853 he brought a band of cattle across the plains, the trip taking six months, and landed in Stanislaus Co., October 20, 1854, where he engaged in the stock business. He came to Dent Township, in this County, in 1854, and purchased some preemtion claims for $1,500, where he raised cattle for a few years, and afterwards did a general farming business. The land, 1,700 acres, is now devoted to grain-raising, alfalfa hay, vegetables and fruit. He came to Stockton to live in 1872, and was elected to the Legislature in 1873. The Farmers' Co-operative Union was organized in 1873, and he has been its President continuously ever since its formation. He is a member of the City Council. He owns 3,600 acres of land in Stanislaus Co. He was married in 1854, in Stanislaus Co., to Miss A.H. Gardenshire. This was the first marriage recorded in the County after its organization. He has had ten children, seven of whom are still living. He purchased his residence, on the corner of Miner's avenue and Auroua street, in 1873. A view of his place is shown on another page.

OTIS PERRIN, Receiver U.S. Land Office, Stockton, was born in Massachusetts, 1826. In his younger years he attended a common school and worked in his father's cotton mill. He learned the machinist's trade at Lowell, Mass. He sailed from Providence, R.I., in March, 1849, in the bark Floyd, doubling Cape Horn and arriving in San Francisco, September 15, 1849. He went to the mines in Tuolumne County, where he constructed a canal for the purpose of turning the Tuolumne river at Hawkin's Bend, so that the bed of the river could be mined. In 1850 he did a similar piece of engineering at Jacksonville, on the Tuolumne river. He went to Garrote in 1852, where he mined several years; was one of the proprietors of the Washington Hotel at Garrote, for ten years. He was one of the proprietors of the Big Oak Flat Water Ditch, and a member of the firm of Watts, Murphy & Perrin, who constructed thirteen miles of the most difficult part. Was superintendent of the Ditch for several years. He was two terms a member of the legislature from Tuolumne and Mono Counties, 1864-6. Came to Stockton to reside in 1869. He was appointed Receiver of the Stockton District, U.S. Land Office, by President Grant in 1869 and again in 1873, also by President Hayes in 1877. He married in 1873, Miss Kate M. Burter, from North Adams, Mass. Purchased his residence, corner Eldorado and Fremont streets, in 1874, for $3000. We give a view of his residence elsewhere.

J. D. PETERS, of Stockton, was in his early days a sailor, and was, at the breaking out of the gold excitement, in the city of New Orleans. He started from that place with fourteen other young men across the plains. He spent several years among the miners, working and driving teams. In 1837 he embarked in the grain business, and was from 1869to 1868 the confidential agent of Isaac Friedlander, purchasing on his account immense quantities of grain. Since that timehe has conducted his grain business in his own interest. He inaugurated the popular system of storage, which now obtains in this valley, and built the first warehouse erected in Stockton. He has been largely interested in banks, railroads, shipping, and many enterprises that have redounded to the benefit and profit of the valley and the city of Stockton. He owns in interest in the barque J.D. Peters, the steamer Herald, the barges Excelsior and Commerce, and the tug Frolic, all of which are engaged in river transportation, between Stockton and San Francisco. At the time of the suspension on the Bank of California, Mr. Peters alone, of all the grain dealers of the San Joaquin valley, continued to purchase and pay cash for grain. Mr. Peters, though still a young man, has by his energy and business enterprise, amassed a fortune, and is today the central and moving figure of the Stockton levee. A view of Mr. Peters' elegant residence is given elsewhere.

THOMAS POWELL, Stockton, was born November 27, 1845, in Conway County, Ark. He came across the Plains with his father in 1853, to Carson City, Nev., and the next spring came to Stockton. Engaged in farming with his father until 1867, and after that on his own account on the west side of San Joaquin river, in Stanislaus County. He came to Stockton in 1874 and kept a cigar and tobacco store for eighteen months. While in this business he invented a patent unloading net and derrick for stacking grain. The net is laid in the bottom of the wagon and the load built upon it, the load is then driven to the side of the stack, the ends of the net put together, and the derrick lifts the entirwe load at one time, and places it on the stack. While introducing this he engaged in sheep raising in Fresno Co. He has 160 acres of land there, and 2,000 sheep. His sales of nets and derricks amounted in 1876 to $8500. In 1877, which was a dry year, to $5500. In 1878, to $20,000. In 1878 he invented a plow with a double pointed reversible share, which he is now introducing, and which meets with great favor. His head-quarters are the Shaw Plow Works, where he has his patents manufactured. He also buys and stores wheat, and on the 1st day of June, 1879, had 175 tons in store. A view of Mr. Powell's inventions will be seen on another page.

EDWIN R. ROBERTS, 267 Main street, Stockton, was born in Hartford Co., Conn., October 4, 1817. He learned the trade of marble carver, and worked at New Preston, Litchfield Co., Conn. In 1851 he came to California by the way of the Isthmys and went to the Sonora mines, where me mined one season. From there we went to Calaveras Co., near Murphy's, where he mined two years. Early in 1854 he went to Columbia, Tuolumne Co., and began taking out marble. This was the first marble quarried in the State of California. The marble was carved for monuments which he shipped. He shipped three large spires to San Francisco in 1855, where they now stand on Lane Mountain. He came to Stockton in 1857, and started his marble works, where Mozart Hall now stands, on Main street. Had marble on exhibition at the first state fair in 1857, held on the Court House square in Stockton. He has had several partners in his business, and is now associated with H.P. Eldred. They are prepared to furnish a monument in Tennessee, Vermont, Italian and California marbles and granites, and are making arrangements to furnish Scotch granites, Red Beach granite from New Brunswick, and Blue granite from Nova Scotia. Can furnish a monument of any stone and any design wanted. They ship to all points in the states. Mr. Roberts was married in 1841 at New Preston, Conn., to Barbara H. Benedict. His residence, on corner of Main and Ophir streets, was built in 1865, cost $3000. (See view elsewhere.)

D. S. ROSENBAUM, Stockton, was born in Bavaria in 1843. He came to America in 1857, settled in New York and remained there until 1862, in which year he came to California for the benefit of his health, taking the Panama route. He went to work the day of his arrival in Stockton, in the establishment of B. Frankenheimer, having an interest in the business. In 1868 the feeble condition of his health agian compelled his to relax his business exertions, and he took a trip to New York and Europe. Upon his return in 1868 he embarked in the clothing business on Main street, opposite the Yosemite House. In 1874 he purchased the southwest corner of San Joaquin and Main streets for $9000, and erected the fine two story business block that stands thereon, at a cost of $12,000. In his new store he commenced a strictly one price system, to which he has faithfully adhered, and which is now his system of doing business. He has a large stock of men's and boy's clothing, and gents', boys' and children's underwear, as fine a stock as can be found outside of San Francisco. Since 1879 he has bought and sold land largely, being interested in raising and selling wheat, and at one time in sheep. He owns the Touhy Place near Stanislaus river, containing 765 acres, also half interest in 720 acres more. He was married in Stockton in 1874, to Miss Amelia Hart, and has three children. A view of his block is given elsewhere.

DANIEL ROTHENBUSH was born in the Bavarian Rhine Provinces, Germany, in February, 1835. He came to American in 1853, landing in Boston, and went the same year to San Francisco by the Panama route. He was a baker by trade, and went direct to Stockton and opened a Bakery Hotel, which he kept one year. He then went to Calaveras Co., where he kept a bakery and restaurant for several years, and also engaged in mining. He came back to Stockton, and in January, 1859, purchased an interest in the Eldorado Brewery. The brewery was established by Bush and Dinkelacker in 1855. In 1857 Peter Rothenbush purchased the interest of Mr. Bush, who had died. In 1859 Daniel Rothenbush bought Dinkelacker's interest, and in 1865 bought out his brother, Peter, and has since managed the business alone. In February, 1877, the brewery was largely damaged by fire and was rebuilt at once by Mr. Rothenbush, at a cost of $9000. The capacity of the brewery, as rebuilt, is about 250,000 gallons of beer per year. The article manufactured there is of superior excellence, and is sold throughout the valley. Mr. Rothenbush also has a winery on the premises, where he manufactures from 5000 to 8000 gallons of superior wine each year. Mr. Rothenbush went to Europe in 1865 and stayed three years. Was married at his native place in 1866 to Miss Amelia Alexander, and has three children. We give a view of the brewery.

L. M. SHIPPEE, Stockton, was born in East Greenwich, Kent Co., R.I., in 1824. He learned the machinist's trade and worked there and in Connecticut for a time, and then managed the home farm for two years. In 1856 he came to California by the Panama route, settling at Stockton and began to look for a place, but could find none, so he started an Ice cream and Confectionery establishment. In September he sold out and went into the grocery business on Hunter street, where the Post Office now stands. He sold his interest in April and entered a dry goods store in April, 1857, where he remained until 1865 under several firms who owned the business. In 1865 he formed a partnership with one of his employers, Mr. McKee, and Mr. Southworth, and opened a grocery in the I.O.O.F. building, under the name Shippee, MeKee & Co. In 1868 he bought 600 acres on the Calaveras river, known as the Old Starkweather Ranch, and subsequently purchased 200 acres adjoining, on which he is breeding fine Spanish Merino sheep, Durham cattle, horses, hogs, &c. The ranch is splendidly fitted out with large barns, commodious sheds for cattle, shops, water tanks, &c. He also raises large quantities of barley and wheat. The soil is sandy loam, and has been irrigated from the river since 1869, the crops never failing. In 1873 he commenced, in company with some other gentlemen, the importation of fine Merino sheep from Vermont, bringing here some 1500 sheep, some of which he sold, and some used to improve his own stock. These sheep brought high prices, one ram as high as $500. He owns, with other parties, over 40,000 sheep and 2,000 Merinos. In 1869 organized the Cherokee Lane Toll Road, and has always been its President. Was one of the originators of the Stockton Savings and Loan Society, in 1864, and has always been a Director, and has been the President for the past three years. In 1872 he took hold of the San Joaquin Agricultural Society, that was badly in debt, has been its President for five years, and brought it to a sound financial condition, and made all the improvements that are now on the grounds. He owns a ranch in Merced Co., of 20,000 acres, on which he has 20,000 sheep, also 400 acres, four miles south of Stockton, which is devoted to grain, and 320 acres on the Lower Sacramento road. A view of his ranch will be found on another page.

ST. AGNES ACADEMY.-In 1874 an effort was made by Father O'Connor, pastor of St. Mary's church, to institute a convent school for girls. A sufficient sum was subscribed to warrant the signing of a contract for the construction of the west wing of the building on the 4th od December of the same year. The beautiful and extensive grounds were the gift of Capt. C.M. Weber. The building was dedicated on the 17th of March 1876, by Most. Rev. J.S. Alemany, Archbishop of San Francisco. At the request of Father O'Connor, SIsters Raymonda, Magdalen, Catherine, Angela, Stanislausand Evangelist, of the Dominican order, took immediate possission of the edifice. The Academy was designed a a first class boarding and day school and was opened in August, 1876. The first boarders were Misses Maggie and Alice Tone, Mary, HEnry and Lottie Crawford, of San Joaquin County, Minnie and Sallie Fresbie of Vallejo, and Francis Snyder, of Yolo. At the present time (Jan. 1879) the institution has thirty boarders and 170 day scholars. The sisters contemplate erecting another wing to accomodate the numbers desiring admittance to this beautiful institution of learning.

THE STOCKTON CITY MILLS, Messrs. Sperry & Co., proprietors, were built in the spring of 1852 by Austin Sperry and S.M. Baldwin, and was run as a barley mill for about six months. They then added one run of buhrs for making flout, and still later two more runs, making the capacity of the mill 70 bbls. in twelve hours. In 1856 Mr. Baldwin sold his interest to Alexander Burkett and S.W. Sperry. The capacity of the mill was at that time increased to 200 bbls. In 1873 the Messrs. Sperry purchased Mr. Burkett's interest and haved since conducted the business. In 1878 they made some extensive improvements and additions to their mill for the purpose of manufacturing the new process flour. There are now in the mill eleven buhrs with a capacity of 800 bbls. in twenty-four hours. The mills have been running steadily day and night since the completion of the improvements in June, 1878, and a ready sale is found for all their manufactures. Up to 1858 wheat was procured from Napa and Martinez, but little being raised in San Joaquin County.

DR. E. A. STOCKTON was born in Bucks County, Pa., Sept. 19, 1830. In 1845 he removed to Ohio, where he studied medicine and attended the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, from which institution he graduated in 1853. He also graduated at the University Medical College at New York City in 1856. He practiced his profession for three years in Ohio and one year in Kansas, where he removed in 1857. In January 1858 he went to Whiteside Co., Ills., where he practiced medicine until 1861. In 1862 he crossed the plains by the way of St. Paul, Red River of the North and Fort Benton to Walla Walla, and settled in Eastern Oregon, in Grand Round Valley, where he remained three years. He returned to Illinois in 1867, and afterwards to Minneapolis, Minn., where he lived one year. In 1868 he returned to this coast, and settled in Stockton, where he has since followed the practice of his profession. His father was a cousin of Com. Stockton from whom the city derives its name. His residence, on the corner of Eldorado street and Miner's Ave., was built in 1860 by Saml. Fisher. Considerable addition was made in 1876, and the elegant house has cost about $6000. A view of the place is given on another page.

STOCKTON WAREHOUSE COMPANY was organized April 17th, 1873, with a capital of $100,000 divided into 1000 shares of $100 each. The officers were John Gawne, Pres., Edward Hubback, Vice Pres., W.M. Seaton, Sec., and Robert Watt, Treas. The warehouse was erected in 1874, is 303x202 feet, and covers one entire block. It is constructed of brick, has a floor made of asphaltum laid on clay, no wood being used in the foundation, has six gangways with a pair of scales at each door. The capacity is 24,000 tons, and there were storede in 1878 as high as 19,000 tons. The company does simply a storage business, also advancing money on grain stored in the warehouse. The present officers are John Gawne, Pres., Jacob Grundeck, Vice Pres., Calixt Denervaud, Sec., Robt. Watt, Treas., A. Borel one of the Directors. In connection with the warehouse is the Stockton Transportation Co., which was incorporated March 12th, 1875. They own the Steam Tug, Jennie Gawne, and the Barges City of Stockton, City of Sacramento and City of San Francisco each with a capacity of 600 tons. They make the trip to San Francisco in 18 hours and return in 13 hours. The officers of this company are John Gawne, Pres., J.S. Bostwick, Sec., Robt. Watts, Treas. A. Borel and John Ducker of the Board of Directors. A view of this great warehouse will be seen on another page.

MORRIS WALRAD was born in Montgomery Co., N.Y., in 1805, where he farmed until 1836, when he removed to Syracuse, De Kalb Co., Ill. He held the office of Sheriff of De Kalb Co. from 1849 to 1847, in which year he removed to Chicago, and kept the Saginash House for three years. He took a stock of dry goods and groceries to Big Bull Falls, now Marithon Co., Wis., and reminded there until 1859, when he returned to Illinois, and from there started for Pike's Peak, in search of gold. He came, however, direct to California, and then went to Nevada, where he erected and run a public house until the spring of 1864. At this time he came to San Joaquin Co., and purchased a ranch of 160 acres in Castoria Tp., where he resided until two years since, when re removed to Stockton. At this time he purchased a coal-black stallion, "French Emperor," in McComb Co., Ill., which is now kept on the ranch of D.M. Walrad, near Collegeville. He has since purchased two other dapple-gray stallions, "Napoleon" and "Honest Abe," from Wm. A. Miller, De Kalb Co., Ill. The two latter were sired by "Paris," owned by I. Elwood & Co. "French Emperor" was sired by "Bologne," imported by Rexroid & Co. He keeps "Napoleon" and "Honest Abe" at Stockton. Mr. Walrad was married in New York State, in 1828, to Ann Horning, who has been a constant companion in his wanderings. They have two sons and one daughter. D.M. WALRAD, son of the former, came to California with his father. At the time when his father removed to Stockton, D.M. Walrad purchased the ranch, since which time he has live upon it. He has 400 acres, all of which are undergoing culitvation. The land is a black soil, and is very fertile. It is situated seven and one-half miles from Stockton, on the Mariposa road. He is largely interested in breeding Norman horses, having the Norman stallion, "French Emperor," on his ranch. Mr. Walrad was married in this County, in 1860, to Mary Ann Merrick, and has one boy and four girls. Views of Morris and D.M. Walrad's ranch are another page.

I. R. WILBUR, of Stockton, was born in Green Co., N.Y., in 1835. When but two years of age he went to Wisconsin with his father. In 1856 he went to Chicago, where he remained four years. He arrived at Stockton May 1, 1869, having come around by the Isthmus. Since that time he has been a resident of Stockton, spending seven years farming and three years in teaching school. He is now Secretary of the Farmers' Co-operative Union, a position that he has held continuously for the past six years. Mr. Wilbur went to Mexico in 1863, and spent two years there in the heat of the Maximilian difficulties. He erected, in 1874, a find frame-house, on California street, Stockton, where he now resided, as shown in accompanying view.

R. E. WILHOIT-Stockton-was born in Jefferson Co., Ky., in 1832. His parents moved to Edgar Co., Ill., while he was young. In 1859 he crossed the plains, and arrived in Placerville in August of that year. He settled at Mokelumne Hill, Calaveras Co., in 1859, and engaged in mining. In 1851 he removed to Willow Spring diggings in Sacramento Co., where he mined for some time. In May 1852 he came to Stockton and engaged in teaming. In 1855 he entered into partership with I.S. Bostwick in the business of freighting and forwarding goods to the southern mines, in which he continued until the fall of 1861. In 1861 he was elected Recorder of San Joaquin Co., which office he held until 1868, three consecutive terms. Upon his retiring from this office he commenced the business of conveyancing, searcher of records, etc., which is his business at present. He has twice held the office of Supervisor of the 2d District, which office he now holds. He was married October 10, 1861, to Miss Delie Kelly. They had four children, now living. Mrs. Wilhoit died January 14, 1873. He married Miss Jeannette F. Tilton, December 11, 1872. They have two children. In the winder of 1871-2, in connection with T.K. Hook, he erected the fine business block that adjoins Mr. Hook's building on Main street, with which it is connected by a common hall-way. The cost was $19,000. Mr. Wilhoit is now sole owner. We give a view of this building.

THE YOSEMITE HOUSE, Main street, Stockton, is the finest hotel in that city or in this section of the State, and has a wide reputation in American not only, but in Europe, among tourists, who always make this elegant house their home while here. The house proper contains 70 rroms, but the hotel has 100 rooms, all neatly and elegantly furnished and prepared for the comfort of the guests. This place is a great stopping point for tourists who are boundfor the land of the big trees, and the beautiful valley of the Yosemite, from which the hotel takes its name. The proprietor, James Cole, has managed the house for some years. He was born at Troy, N.Y., in 1828. Was in the employ of the Jersey City Transportation Co. until 1854, when he came to California by the Panama route. In 1855 he was a member of the police force in Stockton, and in 1856 was elected constable. In 1857 he bought the North American House in Calaveras Co., which he managed for thirteen years. He sold this and moved a house from Paradise to Modeste, Stanislaus Co., a distance of five miles, named it the Rose House, and kept it one year. He came to Stockton and took the Yosemite in 1872. Was married in Troy, N.Y., on Christmas, 1850, to Miss Jane B. Kirkland. A view of this house is given on another page.

WILLIAM D. ASHLEY was born in Susquehanna Co., Pa., in the year 1819. He came across the plains in 1850, and spent some months in the Georgetown mines. In 1852 he purchased part of the land he now owns, the balance he had previously preempted. His farm is situated in O'Neil Township, and is a portion of the famous "Pico Grant." It is situated about eight nmiles from Stockton, and contains 400 acres. He also owns in interest in 100 acres more. The soil is excellently adapted to the production of wheat and barley, the yield averaging about thirty bushels of wheat and from forty to fifty of barley to the acre. His farm is well stocked, improved with buildings, and furnished with machinery, and in first-class condition for grain cultivation. He went to Wisconsin in 1853, and was married in Grant Co., on the 4th of July, to Miss Algenline Jackson, who returned with him, across the plains, to his home in the San Joaquin Valley. They have four children. A view of his place is given in this work.

HENRY BARNHART was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., April 18, 1830. He came to California in 1849, and remained two years in the mines of Eldorado Co., returning home in 1851. After his return he lived about three years in Mercer Co., Pa., and then moved to Missouri; from which State he again came to California in 1859 accompanied by his family, settling in San Joaquin Co., about five miles from Woodbridge, where he continued to live until 1875. He then moved to his present residence in O'Neil Township, about two miles from Stockton. He owns 10,000 acres of land, 3,500 being in San Joaquin Co. He has under cultivation about 6,000 acres in Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties. His homestead contains 2,000 acres, 1,400 of which are tule land. His land will average from thirty to fifty bushels of wheat, the raising of which, and barley, he has made his principal industry. He has had considerable experience in buying and selling land in the State, and considers the land in San Joaquin Co. superior in almost every aspect to that of any other county. A view of his homestead wil be seen on another page.

H. D. C. BARNHART is a son of Henry Barnhart of O'Neil Township, San Joaquin Co., and was born in Mercer Co., Pa., February 24, 1853. In 1857 hia parents moved to Missouri, and in 1859, came across the plains to California, settling in San Joaquin Co., in Elkhorn Township, eight miles from Stockton. He purchased his present residence in O'Neil Township in 1874 from Wardrob & Dorman, for which he paid $17,500. His ranch is about three miles from Stockton, on the Lower Sacramento road, and contains 280 acres of upland, all under cultivation, and 160 acres of tule land of which he is cultivating 120 acres. His chief interest is the raising of wheat and other grain. The place is known as the Old Carpenter Ranch, and is considered one of the best in the county, averaging about twenty bushels to the acre. It was once owned by Cornelius S.I. Carpenter. Mr. Barnhart married, September 22, 1878, Miss Bell Axtell, a niece of Governor Sam'l B. Axtell, of New Mexico and Arizona. A view of his place will be found on another page.

J. L. BEECHER was a former resident of Berkshire Co., Mass. He sailed from New York in June 1852, en route for California. He came direct to Stockton, and from there went to the Sonora mines, where he remained but three months, and returned to the San Joaquin valley. He took up land adjoining the place he now owns in O'Neil Township. He commenced work by cutting timber for the man who then owned his present place. This land he afterwards purchased from Mr. Weber. He visited his old home in 1855 and was married to Miss H.M. Alling, of Connecticut. They have three sons and one daughter, and live in Stockton on account of superior educational advantages to be obtained there. He still works his ranch, which contains 900 cares, raising grain, principally wheat, to which cereal the ground is peculiarly adapted. The soil is what is called abode land, and the great overflow of 1862 left a deposit of several inches, ruining his pasturage, and compelling him to sell his stock at a great loss. He found however that when he plowed this in that he had the finest possible wheat soil, which he says yields from forty to sixty bushels per acre. His ranch is situated six miles east from Stockton. A view of this place is shown on another page.

JOSEPH B. BRODY was born in Strafford, N.H., January 8, 1824. He came to this State in November, 1851, via the Panama route. He spent two years of his California life in the mines. His farm was purchased in March, 1867. It is a portion of the Weber Grant, and is situated six miles from Stockton and one and a-half miles from Waterloo, in O'Neil Township. The farm contains 220 acres of good grain land, to the raising of which it is mainly devoted, the chief product being wheat. The soil is exceedingly fertile and gives an average uield of twenty-five bushels to the acre. He has also truned his attention to stock raising. He owns with T.R. Heath 1,000 acres of land in this county. He was married December 30, 1857, to Miss Lizzie Melville, in the State of Maine. In 1873, at a cost of $5,000 he built one of the finest farm houses in the county. A view of his place is given in this work.

MICHAEL BOWERS is of German descent and was born in Maryland in the year 1838. He moved to Ohio when buy six years of age and lived there until he came to California, via Nicaragua, in 1854. He was in the Mariposa mines a few months. The farm now occupied by him in O'Neil Township, was purchased in 1862. It contains 130 acres of land, 100 of which are being cultivated, the principal product being grain, mainly wheat, of which cereal the land gives a yield of fifteen bushels per acre. The farm is well improved and stocked, and is furnished with all the appurtenances of a well conducted farm. He was married at Stockton in 1863, to Miss Ellen Sheahan, and has one child. His fine residence was erected in September, 1878, at an expense of $2,800. A view of his farm will be found on another page.

C. C. CASTLE, was born in Delaware Co., N.Y., March 27, 1828. He came to this State across the plains in 1852. The first two years of his California life were spent in the placer diggings on the Middle Fork of the American river, in keeping hotel in a place known as John Town. He came to this County in 1854 and settled at French Camp, on the Old Mariposa road, where he engaged in the raising of grain. In 1859 he returned east, and married Miss Almeda Harelson, of Grant Co., Wis. They had two children, both girls, now living. Mrs. Castle died in 1863. In 1861 he moved to the ranch he now occupies in O'Neil Township. It contains 1176 acres of well improved land. In addition to this he owns 147 acres on the lower Sacramento road. In September, 1863, he went to Mexico, to superintend the "Arco" mine for a Stockton company, where he remained until 1866, making in the meantime several trips to and fro. He was there during the Mexican troubles with Maximilian, and was at one time, on the eve of a battle, arrested by the Mexican authorities, on suspicion of being in communication with the French. In 1867, September 17th, he married Miss Sophie E. Bush. They have two boys and two girls. In 1876 he again went east, visiting his old home, and the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia. A view of his ranch is given elsewhere.

JAMES U. CASTLE, was born in Delaware Co., N.Y., February 28, 1832. He made the trip across the plains in 1852, and went to the mines at Georgetown, Eldorado Co., where he remained until 1856, in which year he removed to San Joaquin County. He moved to his present residence in 1861. He purchased his farm from the U.S. Government in 1865. He at present lives in Stockton. His ranch is situated in O'Neil Township, about six miles from Stockton, and contains 829 acres of rich land, all under cultivation. This soil is now considered about as good as any in the county, and is valued at about fifty dollars per acre. His land is devoted mainly to wheat and other grain. The C.P.R.R. runs through Mr. Castle's farm, as will also the new irrigation ditch, from the Mokelumne river. The improvements on this farm are of a first class order, and by the aid of the new ditch the farm will be rendered one of the most valuable in the valley. Mr. Castle was married in Kenosha Co., Wis., in March, 1868, to Miss Emma Watkins. A view of his farm is given in this work.

ROBERT W. CRAIG is a native of the city of New York, where he was born on the 27th day of May, 1821. He came to this state in 1859, via the Isthmus of Panama. In 1856 he purchased his farm in O'Neil Township, and has since resided there. The farm contains 120 acres of excellent grain producing soil, to the cultivation of which it is all devoted. Wheat forms the staple product the yield being on the average twenty bushels to the acre for the past five years. He has supplied himself with all the requisite machinery for the proper cultivation of wheat, and has improved his place with farm buildings, etc, until now the farm is as well appointed as any in that vicinity. He married Miss Mary S. Blair at Stockton, in 1855; they have five children now living. A view of his farm is given in this work.

FRANK DAVIS was born in Marion Co., Mo., Dec. 2, 1849, and came to California with his parents in 1852, settling in San Joaquin Co. (His father, Joseph M. Davis, came here in 1849, and returned in 1851, for his family, whom he brought back with him in 1852. He was a native of the State of Virginia; and died, May 18, 1876). Frank Davis owns a fine ranch in O'Neil Township, containing 160 acres of as choice wheat-producing land as can be found in the San Joaquin valley. His land has yielded about 30 bushels of wheat per acre for the past sixteen years. All of his land is being utilized by cultivation; chiefly in raising wheat, and is well supplied with all the accessories of a well conducted farm. The improvements, consisting of barns, sheds, windmills, &c., are of the first order. He was maried to Miss Margaret Nevin in 1868, in this county, and has two children. He erected his residence in 1873, at a cost of $2,000. A view of this place will be found on another page.

JONATHAN H. DODGE was born in Lamoille Co., Vermont, July 21, 1819. He started for California, Dec. 25, 1849, from McHenry Co., Ill., coming by the Panama route. He spent seven months in the mines on the South Fork of the American river, about six miles from where gold was first discovered. He first settled in San Joaquin, Dec. 23, 1859, in Elliott Township, about two miles from his present home. He purchased the farm he now occupies, in 1857. It was a part of the famous "Pico Grant." His farm is situated in O'Neil Township, about nine miles from either Stockton, Linden, or Lodi, and contains 650 acres of land, that have yielded an average of 20 to 25 bushels of wheat per acre for the last 25 years. He is also largely interersted in stock raising, and was for ten years half owner of the stallion "Chieftain" of the Messenger stock. He has also bred a great many Spanish Merino sheep, from stock imported from Vermont. He owns 3,200 acres of land in Merced Co., which is used for a sheep ranch, on which he has 1,500 high grade Spanish Merino sheep. He was married Nov. 8, 1859, to Miss Emily Bray, a native of England, who came to the United States in 1848; they have six children. His farm buildings and improvements are excellent. He built his fine residence in 1866, at an expense of $4,500. A view of his plave is given in this work.

JAMES GILLIS was born in Franklin Co., N.Y., in 1829, where he resided with his parents on a farm until 1851, in which year he came to this State in company with 1,300 other individuals. They came by way of the Isthmus. He engaged in placer mining in Tuolumne Co., for three or four years. He was very successful in his mining operations, and afterwards went into the manufacture of soda water at Sonora. He gave this up, and for the next two years engaged in quartz mining at a place sixteen miles east of Sonora. He came to his present place in O'Neil Township in 1864. His ranch contains 1,200 acres, all well improved and stocked with cattle, machinery, etc. In 1862 he married Mary Taggart, who did ten years later, leaving two children. He was again married April, 1878, to Mrs. S.A. Scott. A view of Mr. Gillis' place is given on another page.

ALDEN HAMMOND was born at Newport, R.I., August 5, 1834, and came to California by the way of the Isthmus, January 20, 1853. He came from San Francisco to Stockton by the steamer Sophia the same month; was a partner with his father until 1857, in which year he and his father purchased the farm on which he now resides. The farm contains 118 acres of good land, all undergoing cultivation. The soil is sandy loam and adobe land, and has produced as high as sixty-two bushels of wheat to the acre, though the average yieldis about twenty-five bushels per acre. In addition to the raising of grain, he gives his attention to fruit-growing, having some fine fruit-trees, vineyards, etc. He was married April 21, 1857, to Elizabeth W. Gorham, of Nantucket, Mass. A view of his place will be found on another page.

MOSES HAMMOND was born at Dighton, Mass., April 3, 1800. When he was two years of age he moved to Newport, R.I., where he lived until 1849, when he came, with his brother, Capt. John Hammond, to California, by the Panama route. They had fitted out a schooner at Newport, R.I., and sent it around Cape Horn, they and the vessel arriving at San Francisco about the same time. They and many others were taken sick with the yellow fever at Panama, and Mr. Hammond curing them all, there received the title of "Doctor." Though he has never practiced medicine the appellation has ever clung to him. The vessels which were loaded at Newport were the schooner Alexander and the brig General Cobb. Their cargoes consisted of the frames of two scows, one house, carts, shovels, rockers, groceries, provisions, hardware of all kinds, etc. He was in business in San Joaquin City about a year. After the fire of 1851 he sold his goods in Stockton at a great profit, sales amounting to several thousand dollars per day. He died at his residence on the 2d of January, 1879, nearly seventy-nine years of age. His wife, who has reached the age of seventy-two years, now resides in Stockton. A view of his place, which contains 120 1/4 acres, purchased of Capt. Weber in 1857, is given on another page.

ABRAHAM HOHENSHELL was born in Westmoreland Co., Pa., on the 7th day of January, 1821. In 1852 he rounded stormy Cape Horn, and came to California. He spent the first two years in the mines of Placer Co., and the succeeding three years in Eldorado Co. He purchased a squatter's claim November 8, 1856, to the land on which he is now living, and on which he has resided since that time. His farm, which is situated in O'Neil Township, contains 458 acres of excellent wheat-raising land, all of which is under cultivation, and is considered worth $100 per acre. The soil is especially adapted to wheat and grain, and he says will produce from thirty to fifty bushels of wheat, and from fifty to seventy-five bushels of barley per acre. The new irrigating ditch from the Mokelumne river will cross his land, and will add largely to its value. He was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Delilah Pool, who died February 28, 1875, leaving four children. His house is built of brick, and was erected in 1871, at a cost of $4,600. His place is about five miles from Stockton. A view of his farm is given in this work.

JOSEPH JEFFERSON was born in Virginia on the 6th day of February, 1839. In 1853 he started from Iowa on the tedious trip across the plains. After his arrival in this country he worked by the month for about eight years for R.C. Sargent, farming and driving cattle. His present farm, on which he has resided since 1862, he purchased in that year, and has since given his attention exclusively to farming. His chief crop, like that of most farmers in this rich grain valley, is wheat, though he raises some of the other grains. The ranch is situated in O'Neil Township, and contains 253 acres of that choice grain soil for which this section of the valley is famous. The land is being sold for $75 per acre. Besides this property he owns a one-half interest in 166 acres of tule land, lying on the Mokelumne river. He was married at Stockton in 1876 to Miss Winifred O'Brien, and has one child. He erected the house in which he resides in 1866. A view of his place is shown on another page.

JESSE S. LEWIS was born in Boone Co., Mo., April 22, 1822. He made the toilsome journey across the plains in 1853, settling on his present place in November of the same year, about a month after his arrival in California, and on which he has since continued to reside. His homestead contains 110 acres, and lies in O'Neil Township; besides this he has 100 acres of land, about two miles south of the home-farm. All of his land is under cultivation, and is considered as valuable as any in his neighborhood. He has well improved his place with buildings, and supplied it with everything required in the proper management of a grain-raising business. Although wheat-raising has been his chief enterprise, he has been somewhat interested in raising stock, and his farm is now well supplied with cattle, etc. He was married to Miss Mary Ann Hobbs, in Missouri, in 1844, and has six children. We give a view of his plave in this work.

CHARLES C. LONG was born in Schuylkill Co., Pa., in 1835. He arrived in California in August, 1855, coming across Nicaragua. He first settled in Stockton, and afterwards went to Yreka, Siskiyou Co., and from there to Trinity Co. He returned to San Joaquin Co. in 1859. In 1864 he purchased a farm in O'Neil Township, and has since continued to make it his residence. It is six miles from Stockton and half-a-mile from Waterloo. The farm contains 220 acres of excellent land, and it is all under cultivation, used chiefly for the raising of wheat. In company with other parties, he also cultivates 2,500 acres of rented land. His farm has been improved in a first-class manner, the principal barn costing $1,500, in 1873. His house, which was erected in 1867, at a cost of $2,500, was the finest on the road at that time. A view of his place will be found on another page.

JAMES MARSH was born in Peabody, Essex County, Mass., Oct. 26, 1827, and came to California, via the Isthmus of Panama, in 1851. He settled in Contra Costa County, and remained there until 1854, when he removed to San Francisco, where he resided for one year. He made a trip to the Kern river mines in 1854. He came to San Joaquin County in 1858, and purchased the farm on which he now resides in the same year. The place is about three miles from Stockton, on the Copperopolis road, and contains 540 acres of land, nearly all under cultivation. The soil is a mixture of adobe and red sand, and averages 20 bushels of wheat and 25 of barley to the acre. A portion of this land has been sown to wheat continiously for twenty-five years without fertilizing, and shown no sign of exhaustion. In addition to the raising of grain, Mr. Marsh has considerable fine stock. The house in which he resides was built in Boston, shipped around Cape Horn, and put up by B.B. Burnet. Mr. Marsh was one of the original and prime movers of the Grange movement in this County. A view of his place will be found elsewhere.

JAMES A. MCMURRAY was born at Plattsburg, N.Y., March 4, 1830. He came to California, around the stormy cape, in 1852, and settled at Rose Bar, on the Yuba river. He presided over the destinies of the Five Mile House, on the Lower Sacramento road, for about six years. The farm, on which he is at present residing, he purchased in 1868, and has since made it his home. The farm is situated in O'Neil Township, and contains 240 acres of the best wheat-raising land that can be found in San Joaquin County, being valued at and sold for $100 per acre. Besides the time has has devoted to wheat culture, he has paid considerable attention to the breeding of fine stock, cattle and horses. He was married, in 1868, at San Jose, Cal., to Mrs. Sarah Jefferson, who came to California in 1846. They have seven children now living. His fine residence was erected in 1878, at an expense of $5,000. A view of his plave is given on another page.

JOHN E. MOORE was born February 20, 1824, at Lancaster, N.H. He came to California in January, 1852, via the Isthmus of Panama. The first year he spent in the mines of Calaveras County; the next four yeats he drove team between Stockton and Mokelumne Hill. He purchased his present ranch in 1861 of R.P. Hammond, of San Francisco, who was living upon the place, and had built the residence in 1856, at a cost of $10,000. His farm lies in O'Neil Township, 2 1/2 miles from Stockton, and contains 1080 acres, 500 of which are under cultivation. The land has averaged 30 bushels of wheat for the past five years, and in 1877 the yield was 10,000 bushels. His farm buildings are of a superior order, and he has a reservoir tank, with a capacity of 10,000 gallons. Besides the raising of grain he has been largely engaged in the dairy business, manufacturig large quantities of butter and cheese, also selling a good deal of milk; he had at one time as many as 200 milch cows. He also owns 4,500 acres of land in Mendocino county, which are being used as a sheep ranch. He was married at Lancaster, N.H., in 1863, to Miss Martha A. Stebbins, and has three children. A view of his homestead accompanies this sketch.

CYRUS MORING was born in Dubuque County, Iowa, Dec. 7, 1842. He came to California in the year 1862, and was a teamster, from 1863-1868, on the Placerville route, from Sacramento to Virginia City, Nevada. In 1879 he purchased the farm on which he is now living, and has since been engaged principally in the raising of grain. His home farm, which is situated in O'Neil Township, 5 1/2 miles from Stockton, on the Waterloo road, contains 116 acres of as good land as any in that vicinity. Besides this he owns other land in the county, amounting in all to 480 acres. The land has for the five years last past given an average yield of 20 bushels of wheat per acre. For the past ten years he has been running a threshing machine. He was married in 1868 to Miss Arrena J. Lewis, daughter of Jesse S. Lewis; they have three children. He erected his fine residence in 1873, at an expenditure of $3,000. A view of this place is given elsewhere.

E. E. NELSON is a native of the State of New York. He made the long and perilous voyage around Cape Horn in the year 1849, and settled in Stockton in 1850. He was engaged in business in the city of Stockton for about two years, when he sold his interest there, and purchased a farm some three miles from the city, where he lived the principal part of the time until November, 1878,when he returned east. He is now residing in the city of Brooklyn, N.Y. His ranch contains 407 acres of what is known as the black adobe soil, and is considered as good as any land in that portion of the county. The land is all under cultivation, raising chiefly grain, though he has 12 acres of fine vineyard, orchard, etc. It has averaged 25 bushels to the acre for the past five years. The place is well stocked, and supplied with machinery, etc., required on a well-developed farm. A view of this place will be found elsewhere.

WILLIAM L. OVERHISER is a native of the State of Pennsylvania. At the age of four years he moved to Columbia County, N.Y. He was one of a party of nine who organized themselves into an association at Long Island, purchased the ship "Sailor," and came around the Horn to California, bringing with them a large number of passengers. The vessel was sold after their arrival in San Francisco, October 12, 1849. For about a year he engaged in teaming to the mines at Johnstown, Sullivan's creek and Murphy's camp; also in prospecting. In the fall of 1859 he purchased 160 acres of land on the Calaveras river, and went into partnership with J.B.L. Cooper, nephew of Peter Cooper, New York, who also had 160 acres. In 1851 he raised 16 acres of barley, and in the next season sowed 60 acres, and enclosed them with a wire fence, the first in the county. He now owns 700 acres in O'Neil Township, and also works 400 acres of rented land. His farm is one of the best improved in the county. He has four artesian wells on his farm, from which water is pumped into a reservoir by a steam-engine, for irrigating purposes, (see "Artesian Wells" in the general history). He is largely interested in breeding Norman horses, Durham cattle, Berkshire hogs and Merino sheep. He owns the imported Norman stallion "Joe Gale." A view of his place is given elsewhere.

JOHN RHODEN is a native of Prussia, where he was born in 1828. He came to America in 1859, and to California in 1852. He settled in Stockton, and until 1869, he followed the trade of blacksmithing in that city. In 1869 he purchased his present farm in O'Neil Township, and has since made it his residence. This farm contains 320 acres, and he owns besides 160 acres in another piece, making in all 480 acres. The soil is rich and the land is as valuable as any in the Township. The average yield of wheat, to which grain it has been almost exclusively devoted, has been from twenty to thirty bushels per acre. His farm is well improved and furnished with all the necessary tools and machinery for the practical conduct of a first class farm. All of the land is undergoing cultivation. He was married in Stockton in 1869 to Miss Celia Rock, and has five children. We give a view of this place on another page.

THOMAS SEDGWICK was born in Yorkshire, England, February 27, 1795, and came to America in 1815. He lived in New York State until 1849, in which year he left his family and came to California, by the Cape of Good Hope route, consuming 203 days on the voyage. He settled in Stockton and kept a butcher shop for two years, at the expiration of which time he returned to New York for his family. He now resides in O'Neil Township on the Stockton and Linden turnpike road, about five miles from Stockton. He purchased this place in 1868. The farm contains 120 acres of land, all under cultivation, and is devoted chiefly to the raising of wheat, of which grain the average yield for the past five years has been twenty-five bushels to the acre. The house was erected about the year 1863, and cost in the neighborhood of $3,000. A view of Mr. Sedgwick's house and farm is given elsewhere.

CHARLES SPERRY was born in Caledonia Co., Vt., September 13, 1825. He came to California by the Panama route in 1852. He first went to Sierra Co., where he spent five years in selling goods. In the fall of 1857 he came to San Joaquin Co., and purchased his present farm, on which he has continued since to reside. His place contains 225 acres of choice land, and is situated in O'Neil Township. The soil is wonderfully adapted to the production of wheat, yielding from thirty to fifty bushels for the past five years, to the raising of which cereal he devotes the greater portion of his time. The land in that vicinity is selling for $100 per acre. Besides the attention he has given to the cultivation of grain, he has been considerably interested n breeding fine stock, especially horses, for one pair of which he received $1,000. He was married in May, 1869, to Miss Jane Sperry, and has two children. In 1862 he erected his house, at an expense of about $1,800. A view of his place will be found on another page.

EDWARD SALBACH was born in Prussia in 1826. He came to America in 1849, and went to the Lake Superior mines, at Eagle Harbor, Mich. He came to California in 1852, and settled at the Vallecito mines, Calaveras County, where re remained until 1864, in which year he decided to abandon mining and adopt the life of a husbandman, and purchased his present farm in O'Neil Township. His farm contains 213 acres of excellent land, all of which is undergoing cultivation, being devoted to the raising of grain, wheat being the principal production. The farm is well improved, with farm buildings of every character necessary to a proper cultivation of the soil, and is supplied with all the machinery requisite to a profitable wheat raising business. He was married in 1860, in Calaveras County, to Miss Katharina Wagner, and has seven children. He erected his residence in 1878 at an expense of $3,500. A view of this place will be found elsewhere.

GEORGE W. VOORHEES was born in Somerset County, N.J., in 1835. He came to California by the Panama route, arriving in San Francisco Feb. 16, 1853, and in Stockton the 22d of the same month. He worked at different places in the county until 1858, in which year he preempted 160 acres of land in O'Neil Township, seven miles from Stockton, and one-half mile south of the Mariposa road. He built a small cabin, and commenced working a portion of his land. He now cultivates, in addition to his own farm, 160 acres of rented land. In 1872 he built a two-story frame-house, costing $500, besides his labor. He has since built a large barn, two sheds, wagon-house, and house for machinery and farming implements, of which he has all that are necessary on a well conducted farm. 70 acres of his land are a sandy loam, the balance black and white soil. He keeps the Clyde and Chieftain breed of horses. He returned to New Jersey in 1870, and was married to a lady who has since died. He visited the Centennial Exposition with his family in 1876. A view of his farm is given on another page.

Transcribed by Sharon Marie Robinson.

Source: “History of San Joaquin County 1879” by Thompson & West. Pages 91-100.

GOLDEN NUGGET LIBRARY'S SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY DATABASES

GOLDEN NUGGET LIBRARY INDEX