Ref: Page 1060-1063

Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 10/26/2010

JOHN P. WATKINS

For nearly fifty years John P. Watkins has been a resident of the great state of California and during that time he has borne his full share of the responsibilities that have been the lot of successful Californians from the early days to the present. A native of Georgia, he was born near Atlanta on September 1, 1855, the son of Allen and Martha (Burnett) Watkins. The latter was a second cousin of Alexander H. Stephens, vice-president of the Southern Confederacy. Allen Watkins was born in the vicinity of Atlanta on April 2, 1829, and became a man of prominence in his locality. On June 6, 1861, he organized Company A. Twenty-first Georgia Regiment, and was commissioned 2nd lieutenant; on July 27, 1862, he was promoted to be 1st lieutenant, and on September 1 of that same year became a captain. On September 23, 1862, he was killed at Chancellorsville and was survived by his widow and two children, Mary Frances and John P. The war left the Watkins family without resources and John P. became the sole support of his mother and sister, hence he was unable to get just the kind of schooling he desired. As he grew to manhood he educated himself by self-study and qualified to teach school, which he did in Douglas County, Georgia, for two terms. From the savings of his years of labor he invested in a small farm in Douglas County and there the family lived until 1878, when John P. decided he could better his condition by coming to California. His mother afterwards made her home with her daughter at Whitesburg, Ga., where she died on October 6, 1922, having reached the age of ninety-one years; her son fortunately reached her bedside before she passed away.

John P. Watkins reached Sacramento in 1878 and the following year he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Boggess, daughter of Ahas Boggess, who, as secretary of the state of Georgia, signed the secession papers at the outbreak of the Civil War. Mrs. Watkins died in 1880, leaving a son, Arthur, who now makes his home with his father in San Joaquin County. In 1889 Mr. Watkins was again married, this time to Miss Catherine Grother, born in Pilot Hill, Cal. She passed away and left one son, Louis Edwin, now a resident of San Francisco. On September 21, 1898, the third marriage of Mr. Watkins united him with Mrs. Effie Henderson, who came with her parents from Mississippi in 1893. Of this union two children were born: Agnes B. and George Stanley. Agnes B. graduated from the State Normal School at Chico, class of 1920, and at once took up teaching in Glenn County where she is principal of the Cordora school. George Stanley enlisted for service in the World War as a mechanic in the aviation corps and trained in Texas. He now resides in Michigan.

When Mr. Watkins arrived in Sacramento in 1878 he soon found work on the 40,000-acre ranch owned by J.B. Hagin & Company, and in time was promoted to be an assistant foreman of the famed Rancho El Paso, known to all lovers of fine horses, for it was here that some of the world's record-breakers were raised and trained. After spending twelve years in the employ of this company, Mr. Watkins resigned to enter the employ of Mrs. Phoebe A. Hearst, and in 1898 was sent to Mexico as her personal representative, with full power of attorney to look after the landed interests of the Hearst Estate. During the five years that Mr. Watkins spent in Mexico he became well acquainted and very friendly with President Diaz. In 1903 he resigned his position with the Hearst Estate, returned to California and located near Lodi, San Joaquin Co. He bought a ranch, improving it during the following five years, and sold to good advantage and then settled at Ripon and planted one of the first orchards in this vicinity. He is still a resident of this productive section of California.

Realizing his lack of educational opportunity in his younger days, Mr. Watkins has ever had the welfare of the rising generations at heart. It was through his untiring efforts that a union high school district was organized at Ripon, and as president of that body he was largely instrumental in planning and bringing to completion the handsome Union High School building at Ripon, of which mention is made on another page in this history. Mr. Watkins was a charter member of the San Joaquin Farm Bureau and served as a director and vice-president until in 1919. He has always been a stanch advocate and supporter of good roads and of all irrigation movements in the county, and has worked for every cause for elevating the social, moral, educational and financial standing in the county and locality where he has lived. During the World War he served as a member of the San Joaquin County exemption board under the appointment from President Wilson and for the duration of the war he made daily trips from his ranch to Stockton to attend to the duties of that position. Mr. Watkins is a self-made man in the truest sense of the word and by his upright and honorable methods he has won the esteem and good will of all who know him or have had dealings with him. Always active for every good movement he will long be remembered as one of the foremost citizens of San Joaquin County.

Ref: Page 596

Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 10/26/2010

ALFRED GWYNNE WATKINS

One of the esteemed and helpful citizens of Bellota is Alfred Gwynne Watkins, a prominent rancher and cattleman, well known throughout the county as an authority on stock. He has assisted in building schools and churches, and contributed to every project for the upbuilding of the community. He was born on his father's ranch at Bellota, August 1, 1885, the youngest child of the late Craddock Gwynne and Hannah (Young) Watkins, both born in England. Craddock G. Watkins and his wife came to America from England in early days and settled near Bellota where they engaged in farming, the old homestead now being operated by James G. Watkins, a brother of our subject. Mrs. Watkins resides at 519 West Vine Street, Stockton. Alfred G. Watkins attended the Bellota and Linden schools and this section has been his home his entire lifetime. While still in his teens he took up the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a while, and at all times was interested with his father in the stock business.

The marriage of Mr. Watkins occured at San Francisco August 18, 1908, and united him with Miss Ruby A. Bliss, born at Stockton, a daughter of William D. and Nellie (Youngs) Bliss, the former now deceased, while the latter makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Watkins. Mrs. Watkins spent her childhood days in Stockton and graduated from the Stockton high school in 1899 and for some years engaged in teaching. Four children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Watkins; Kenneth G., William C., Teddy B., and Alice Marie. In 1914, Mr. Watkins purchased 160 acres, known as the W.A. Shippee place, and about one year ago he purchased an additional seventy acres, making a total of 230 acres on which he raises stock and grain; he also leases a tract of range land near Waverly Station where a fine herd of beef cattle range. In politics, Mr. Watkins is a Republican and is a director of the Linden Union high school since its reorganization in 1921; for some years he was a director of the Bellota district school. Recently he has completed a fine residence on his ranch, which makes it one of the show places of this section of the county.

Ref: Page 887-888

Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 10/26/2010

ALFRED D. WARDROBE

An exceptionally interesting and instructive story is that of the pioneer family of Alfred D. Wardrobe, the progressive and successful vineyardist, who lives one and one-half miles to the east of Acampo. He was born in San Joaquin County, near the Live Oak schoolhouse, in Elkhorn Township, on September 15, 1867, the son of S.V. and Eunice (Cobb) Wardrobe. Both his father's and his mother's family came to California from Massachusetts in 1851. Grandfather Charles Cobb was a boot and shoe manufacturer, and just before the outbreak of the Civil War he sold a large consignment of his products to patrons in the Southern States. He was paid Confederate script, which in time proved utterly worthless, and was thus forced into bankruptcy. In 1865, with only $15 as capital, he landed in California, after a journey by way of the Isthmus, having left his wife and children behind in Boston. He obtained a job in San Francisco cleaning a cargo of shoes that had come round the Horn, and had moulded on the way. For this he received $9 per week, and had to board himself. When it became known that he was an experienced shoe-man, he was offered the position of salesman in the shoe-store; and when, later, someone wanted a man to take charge of his shoe-store in Marysville, he was sent there, and he remained in Marysville as manager of the shoe-store for several years. At the end of six years, he was able to send for his wife and family, and they joined him at Marysville. Later, he took up some land between Lodi and Stockton, 160 acres in all, and embarked in farming; and after a while he acquired another tract of 160 acres. He lived to be about eighty-six years old, and came to be worth approximately $10,000 before he passed away. A few years ago the home place was purchased by Stewart Elliott.

S.V. Wardrobe, whose full name was Samuel Valorious Wardrobe, the father of our subject, made three trips to California, the first, around the Horn in 1848, the second in 1850, and the last in 1851, when he yielded to the lure of the moment and went into the mines. Afterward, he bought a ranch in the Live Oak section, and as he was naturally a progressive agriculturist he became quite an extensive grain farmer. In the early days lumber was very scarce. While back home in West Scituate, Mass., a suburb of Boston, on his visit in 1850, he had his brother, Reuben Langdon Wardrobe, who was a carpenter and joiner, frame a 12'x12' house out of Eastern yellow pine, which was shipped in the knockdown to California via the Horn. It was unloaded from a new steamer, at Weber's Point, in Stockton, and by the two brothers was hauled out to S.V. Wardrobe's land, near where the Live Oak schoolhouse is now situated. Later on additions were made and the house was remodeled, but to this day it encloses the first 12'x12' house, which was converted into a bedroom. The house is still standing, and is in use to this day. In that bedroom our subject's oldest brother and Alfred Wardrobe himself were both born. It is the oldest living-room, which has been in continuous use, in San Joaquin County. S.V. Wardrobe and his devoted wife were blessed with four children. Frank S., the eldest, is in Butte County; Lucy is deceased; Alfred was the third-born; and Eunice, the youngest, is also deceased.

Alfred Wardrobe attended the Live Oak School, and remained with his father until the latter's death, at the age of fifty-six. The mother had already passed away. After his father's death, he and his brother managed the old home place of 627 acres until 1910; and then a division of the property was made, he receiving 307 acres, and his brother 320. He sold this place, and bought twenty acres on the Acampo-Lockeford road, about one and one-half miles east of Acampo, a fine tract of vineyard and orchard, which Mr. Wardrobe has developed with his own pumping plant and irrigation system.

At Sheldon, Cal., on May 6, 1896, he was married to Miss Rebecca Macy, the daughter of Seth and Jane Macy, and a native of Sacramento County. Her father was born in Iowa and her mother in Missouri. In the late fifties, Mr. Macy went into the mines. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred D. Wardrobe have had four daughters, and three are living, Oleta having died at the age of eighteen. Viola and Myrtle are high school students at Lodi, and Vernon is a pupil in the grammar school. Mr. Wardrobe is a Democrat and is a member of Elkgrove Lodge of Odd Fellows.

Ref: Page 1510-1511

Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 10/26/2010

LAFE WARD

A well-to-do rancher of the Elliott district of San Joaquin County, who has won his success entirely through his own industry and enterprise, is Lafe Ward. He was born at Beverly, W. Va., on December 9, 1868, a son of Abraham and Lucinda Ward. Grandfather Ward was a plantation owner in Virginia, and an early settler. In 1874, the father, Abraham Ward, started across the plains by the southern route through Texas, and arriving in California settled at Collegeville, San Joaquin County, and there leased about 700 acres of land, which he farmed to grain. The father passed away in 1903, sixty-three years old, and the mother in 1921, at the age of eighty years.

For a number of years Mr. Ward rented various ranches, among them being the Northrup ranch, now conducted by John D. Sowles, whose sketch is found in this volume. He spent a few years a quarter of a mile east of the Elliott schoolhouse; and then rented the Henderson ranch, known as section seven, consisting of 420 acres of land, on which Mr. Ward raised grain and stock. He then purchased 480 acres one-half mile north of the Elliott school, and also farms forty acres belonging to his mother; besides he rents a half-section of land on Dry Creek, making a total of over 800 acres that he successfully farms. Mr. Ward is the father of three children, James B. Tyrell, and Bessie, residing at Sacramento. James B. and Tyrell are in partnership with their father in running the ranches, on which they maintain about 200 head of cattle and operate a dairy of sixty cows. Mr. Ward has made extensive improvements in the way of modern buildings and equipment for handling his business. He has twelve head of work horses, but does much of his plowing, harrowing, planting, etc., with a tractor.

James B. Ward, the eldest son, was born in San Joaquin County on July 29, 1894, attended the district school, and finished his education with a business course in Heald's Business College at Sacramento. On November 2, 1917, he entered the service of his country and was sent to Camp Lewis, where he remained but two days, when he was placed in the 116th Signal Corps of the 41st Division and sent to Camp Mills, and later to Camp Merritt, N.J. While at Camp Merritt, he was taken ill and could not go to France with the original outfit, but was placed in the 161st Ambulance Corps, and on January 11, 1918, was sent to France via Liverpool, Southampton and La Havre. During April of 1918 his company went to the front with the French at St. Die and served in the drive on Frappell on the Strassburg front. Later he was sent to Nancy and Point Mousson on the Mouselle River and was in the second Argonne offensive, being near Sedan, France, when the armistice was signed. He then returned to Verennes, and went thence to Mallory where he remained for one one month; and then came to Montigny, where he was stationed for four months. Returning to the United States via Marseilles, he landed in New York City on May 9, 1919, after having been on the water twenty-one days. Coming immediately to San Francisco, Cal., he was mustered out at the Presidio on May 29, 1919, honorably discharged, and returned to his home in San Joaquin County. The marriage of James B. Ward occurred in Stockton on April 14, 1920, and united him with Garnet Loker, a native of Nebraska, and a daughter of Victor and Sophie Loker. Her parents came to California while Garnet was a small girl, and her father was section boss for many years for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. Mr. and Mrs. James B. Ward have one son, James B., Jr., born on his father's birthday, July 29, 1922.

Tyrell Ward was also born in San Joaquin County, on November 25, 1896, and attended the district schools of the county, finishing with a commercial course at Heald's Business College in Sacramento. His marriage occurred in Sacramento on July 20, 1921, and united him with Miss Tina Daniels, a native of Elk Grove, Cal., a daughter of Robert and Mina (Noble) Daniels, her father a native of Ireland, who came to California many years ago, where he has since farmed to advantage. Mr. and Mrs. Tyrell Ward have one child, Robert La Fayette, born June 26, 1922. In politics, Mr. Ward and his two sons are Democrats. Fraternally, Mr. Ward belongs to the Elks; and he and his two sons belong to the Eagles of Lodi.

Ref: Page 661-662

Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 10/26/2010

DUDLEY I. WALTZ

The great cattle-barons of California have always occupied an heroic position in the intensely interesting history of the Golden State, exponents of that courage, foresight, optimism and progressive enterprise which have marked the leaders of the Pacific commonwealth as among the most progressive of all highly successful Americans; and it is natural, therefore, that such men of large affairs as Dudley I. Waltz, the stockman, should be accorded an enviable eminence among men of wide influence, and should preeminently enjoy the esteem and confidence of their fellows. Mr. Waltz was born in Monroe County, Mo., May 3, 1861, first seeing the light on a comfortable home farm; but in 1877, when only sixteen years of age, he came out to California, in company with a boy friend. His first employment was on a farm at Wheatland, where he pitched hay for $1.25 per day, and after working as a farm hand for some three years, he bought 320 acres of land in Sutter County which he farmed to wheat and barley. At the end of two years, he sold this ranch at a profit, and he then bought 800 acres of land in Placer County, which he farmed for another two years, and then sold at a profit. He next bought a small band of sheep, this being his start in handling sheep and cattle, and from that time on he has steadily advanced, until now he is one of the largest sheep-owners in California, having about 30,000 head.

In 1896, he bought of General Bidwell, of Chico, some 7,000 head of sheep, and leased all of Bidwell's pasture land up to the time of his death. The same year, he bought 10,000 sheep from the Joe Cone estate at Red Bluff. In 1898, he bought from Tom Haw, a Chinaman, some 10,000 head, at Dillon, Mont., and the next year he opened a butcher shop on Second Street, Chico, which he operated for a couple of years. In 1900 he bought a train load of cattle in Old Mexico; and this was the first load of cattle that crossed the quarantine line into the state. They were unloaded at Bakersfield, where they were disinfected and examined by a state veterinary. For two years he conducted a ranch in Merced County, removing to Stockton in 1902. Now thousands of his sheep and cattle range on a thousand hills in California, and his holdings include the Stanford Ranch of 9000 acres in Tehama and Butte counties, once a part of the famous Leland Stanford estate, known as the Vina ranch. He also owns 9000 acres of land in Merced County, and leases 20,000 more in Mariposa and Merced counties; and he leases 50,000 acres of land in Butte and Tehama counties, directing the whole with the assistance of his two sons, Edward P. and Arthur W. Waltz, who are associated with him in his livestock enterprises. Mr. Waltz is a member of the advisory board of the Imperial Cattle Loan Company of Los Angeles, and he is ex-president of the San Joaquin County Cattle Men's Association. He helped to organize, and is the president of the Central California Wool Growers' Association, and is also director of the State Wool Growers Association; and in 1911, he helped to organize the California State Life Insurance Company of Sacramento, and is official appraiser and director of the same, and in 1922 was elected its vice-president. This company has been very successful, and has made the best showing of any company in the United States in the past ten years.

When Mr. Waltz married September 2, 1889, at Auburn, Cal., he chose for his bride Miss Martha H. Brock, a native of Sutter County; and their union has been blessed with the birth of five children: Edward P., who married Miss Dorothy Boone of Red Bluff, is associated with our subject and his brother, Arthur B., in the sheep and cattle business, under the firm name of D.I. Waltz & Sons with principal offices at Stockton; Arthur B. was in the Aviation service and put in eighteen months overseas; Dorothy is the wife of Ralph Jeanelle of Stockton, and Minnie and Grace are the youngest in the family. San Joaquin County is justly proud of such an eminently progressive captain of industry as Mr. Waltz, one of the greatest patrons of husbandry in the Golden State.

Ref: Page 984-987

Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 10/25/2010

CARL A. WALTER

Highly esteemed in his lifetime, and honored above many after his demise, Carl A. Walter, the sturdy, progressive pioneer, earned for himself an enviable place among those who will always receive their meed of praise for what a grateful posterity acknowledges they really did in helping to found the great California commonwealth. His contemporaries, who knew him face to face, were intimately and accurately acquainted with his ideals, his toil and his accomplishments, largely as the result of hard, intelligent labor; and now those who weigh and balance the records of the early, self-sacrificing settlers, will not fail to accord him all the credit he deserves.

On September 26, 1849, in the year when so many thousands were rushing as fast as the slow and inadequate conveyances of those days could bring them to California, Carl Walter was born in Holstein, Germany, where he grew to young manhood. In 1873, when he was twenty-four years of age, he sailed for America, and on May 14 arrived at Banta Station in San Joaquin County, and almost immediately embarked in extensive agricultural enterprises on the West Side, with which he was destined to be identified until 1912. On September 10, 1890, at Tracy, he was married to Miss Melanie E. Gunder, who was born in Silesia, on February 3, 1868, and had come out to California in 1887, arriving at Midway, in Alameda County. She joined the family of Reinhold Haera, who had come to California in 1866 with her brother, Frank, and had become farmer folks.

In 1890, Mr. and Mrs. Walter took up farming near the Whitehall estate, in Pescadero Grant, with which they continued occupied until 1905, and there Mr. Walter operated extensively on the West Side as a grain farmer, until 1912, when he sold out and removed to French Camp, where at present his son Carl, who resides on the home property, is farming. In December, 1921, he and Mrs. Walter moved to Stockton, and on November 9, 1922, after months of ill-health and suffering, he passed away, mourned and survived by his wife and five children, and a host of appreciative, devoted friends. His residence was at 1422 East Sonora Street. He always exerted an enviable influence in civic affairs as a broad-minded but staunch Republican. He had served for ten years as a trustee in the French Camp school, where he was chairman of the board; and he was prominent as a member of Sumner Lodge, I.O.O.F. He was past chancellor in the Knights of Pythias, at Tracy, and his funeral, which was largely attended, was conducted jointly by these two lodges.

Several children blessed the happy union of Mr. and Mrs. Walter. Carl Walter is married, and has a wife and two children, Carl Clifton and Muerl Lois; he is with the Harris Harvester Company at Stockton, and is a member of the Tracy Parlor, N.S.G.W. Margaret is employed by Levy Bros. Melanie has become the wife of Clifton Kroyer, of the Kroyer Motors Co., Inc., of California, and resides at Long Beach. Freda is a graduate of the Stockton high school, and also of the Western Normal School, having been a member of the class of 1916. She also graduated from Heald's Business College in 1918, and has followed teaching in the public schools of San Joaquin County for the past six years, enjoying the esteem of her colleagues. She is a member of the N.D.G.W. William graduated from the Stockton high school, 1917, and is now assistant manager of the W.L. Maxwell Company at Stockton.

Ref: Page 1526-1527

Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 10/22/2010

LUTHER C. WALLING

Well known as a vineyardist and agriculturalist, Luther C. Walling has been a resident of San Joaquin County for the past twenty-six years, since he purchased his present home, consisting of fifteen acres, on Cherokee Lane, some three and a half miles south of Lodi. He has been a successful manager and has gained an excellent reputation for both quantity and quality of products. He was born on a ranch south of Turlock, Cal., on January 14, 1871, a son of Andrew and Jennie Martha (Penter) Walling. The father, Andrew Walling, came to California in an early day and engaged in grain farming. He passed away when Luther C. was a child of two years. The mother is still living, residing in Oakland.

Luther C. Walling was reared by relatives and attended school at Placerville, Cal., until he was fifteen years old, when he started to make his own way in the world, working on farms and doing teaming work. He settled at Franklin, Cal., and worked there for a number of years at farm work; then he rambled over various parts of California until 1896, when he settled in the Live Oak district of San Joaquin County and there purchased fifteen acres of unimproved land on Cherokee Lane, just south of the Live Oak schoolhouse. On this land he set out a vineyard and developed an irrigation system. He also bought fifteen acres on the Dayton Road, set out in vineyard, then sold it. Mrs. Walling owns twenty-four acres of the old McCoy place, on the Eight-mile Road; one-half of it was set to vineyard by her father, the balance being unimproved.

The marriage of Mr. Walling occurred on November 16, 1904, on the old McCoy ranch in the Live Oak district, which united him with Miss Alice McCoy, a native Californian, a daughter of Daniel and Adelia (Dayton) McCoy, natives of Lincoln County, Ill., and Michigan, respectively. In 1858 Daniel McCoy left his native state for the West. Arriving on the coast he stopped for a short time in Oregon, then came to California and engaged in mining at Sonora and later teamed from Stockton and Sonora to the mines; then he removed to San Joaquin County, where he bought a quarter-section of land on Cherokee Lane, eight miles north of Stockton, and engaged in grain farming. Mrs. Walling received her education in the Davis school district north of Stockton. There were six children born to this pioneer couple: Ella, Mrs. Sprague, resides at Raymond, Cal.; Ann, Mrs. David Bunch, resides in Los Angeles; Alice, Mrs. Walling; Rowland Henry resides in Woodbridge; Louis is deceased; and Belle, Mrs. Hearn. The last days of Mr. and Mrs. McCoy were spent in Stockton, where Mr. McCoy passed away at the age of seventy-three, and his wife was sixty-odd years old when she died. For the past twenty-five years Mr. Walling has been a member of the Stockton Parlor No. 7, N.S.G.W. During his long residence in San Joaquin County he has formed a wide acquaintance and he has also gained creditable success, and by perseverence and determination has gained a place among the substantial agriculturalists of the community.

Ref: Page 1579

Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 10/22/2010

PETER J. WALLACE

A progressive business man of Stockton whose success is entirely due to his own perseverance and industry is Peter J. Wallace, the owner and proprietor of the Golden West Laundry located at 501 North Sierra Nevada Street. He was born in Greece, August 5, 1890, and while still a young boy was left an orphan. When he was seventeen years old he started for the United States and when he arrived in New York City he had very little money in his pockets; he secured work in the factory of the American Tobacco Company. From New York he went to Newburyport, Mass., where he worked in a cotton mill and a shoe factory; then he went to Milwaukee, Wis., where he worked as a core maker in an iron foundry; then to Kiel, Wis., and worked in a furniture factory. Four years were consumed from the time he landed in New York City until he arrived in California. He found employment in the Golden Eagle Hotel in Sacramento for a time; then to San Francisco in the employ of the Golden State Baking Company for three and a half years and in May, 1916, he arrived in Stockton. He purchased a small laundry at 317 East Street and built up a fine profitable business; later he bought a lot on Sierra Nevada Street, where he erected a building for a new laundry and he now enjoys a very lucrative business; he specializes in family washings and four delivery wagons are required to take care of the business. When he started in business on East Street, three people handled the work, as now Mr. Wallace employs twenty people; he has installed modern laundry machinery and as his business expands he intends to erect a larger plant on his property.

The marriage of Mr. Wallace occurred in San Francisco and united him with Miss Lena Stack, a native of New Mexico, and they are the parents of one son, Frank, born in San Francisco. Mr. Wallace is an active member of the Woodmen of the World, being a member of the drill team and treasurer of same.

Ref: Page 1219

Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 10/21/2010

MINARD WALLACE

A substantial citizen of San Joaquin County whose memory will long be honored is the late Minard Wallace, who was born in Hants County, Nova Scotia, on February 8, 1856, the son of Michael and Margaret Wallace. The father was a progressive and favorably known farmer. In 1876 Minard Wallace came to California on the transcontinental immigrant train and settled at Lockeford, where he was employed in various ways. On December 19, 1878, in Lockeford, he married Miss Alice Mary Blois, the daughter of Oliver and Tryphen (Parker) Blois, who was born within three miles of Mr. Wallace's birthplace. Her father was also a farmer, and she attended the excellent district schools in Nova Scotia. She came to California in 1878 with her brother, who with a sister was already living in California, and she made her home with them until her marriage to Mr. Wallace. After their marriage they resided at Lockeford for five years and then located on a ranch in the vicinity of the present home, where Mr. Wallace began stock-raising and farming. He prospered, leasing range until he began purchasing land. Mr. Wallace improved the home-ranch with a fine house, built fences, and put up farm buildings; and together with his two sons he acquired additional land, until they jointly owned 800 acres; then they engaged in a general farming and stock business. Mr. Wallace laid aside the cares of this world on April 5, 1920, leaving an enviable record for integrity and industry, and a family of four to inherit his good name and his fortune. Maude has become Mrs. Lane, of Oakland; Walter is at home; Harriet is Mrs. Holmes, of Martinez; and Oliver is also at home.

The two sons, Walter and Oliver, have assisted in carrying on the stock business. While Oliver was away in the World War, the elder son ran the ranch; and as it was very hard to get help, he did three men's work. He produced much grain, but on account of the high prices of labor, he only broke even, despite the favoring high prices of the grain market. Oliver, the younger son, entered the United States service on September 21, 1917, and was sent to Camp Lewis, as a member of Company L., 363rd Infantry, 91st Division. In June, 1918, he went to New York and was sent overseas, where he participated with his famous division in all of the drives for which they were noted, in the Argonne and on the Belgian front. On his return to San Francisco he was discharged at the Presidio in April, 1919, as sergeant, and took up ranching again with his brother. He was married at Lockeford, on July 14, 1920, to Miss Alvine Ostermann, the daughter of Theodore and Lena Ostermann, a native of San Joaquin County; and their union has been blessed with the birth of twin sisters, June and Jean. Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Wallace live on the old Wallace Rancho, with his mother and brother. The two brothers are Republicans.

Ref: Page 1509

Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 10/26/2010

KYLE H. WEAVER

A progressive business man of Stockton, Kyle H. Weaver is the owner and proprietor of the Pennant Cleaners located at 1650 South Eldorado Street, Stockton, where he is equipped to do all kinds of cleaning and dyeing. His entire life has been spent in Stockton, where he was born May 18, 1888, a son of Myrt and Josephine (Lewis) Weaver, natives of Iowa and California, respectively. The maternal grandfather of our subject fought in the Mexican War and came to California in an early day. Myrt Weaver came to California in the early '50s with a surveying crew, crossing the plains with wagons drawn by mules. For many years he was an attendant at the Stockton State Hospital and is remembered by the old settlers of Stockton as a popular musician. This pioneer and his wife are living retired at Modesto, Cal.

Kyle H. Weaver was educated in the Jackson and Grant schools in Stockton and at the age of fifteen started to work, first in the spinning room of the Stockton Woolen Mills and later in a planing mill and then in the Stockton City Laundry. In 1908 he determined to enter business on his own account and with A.A. Mallett as a partner, he founded the Pennant Cleaners. He purchased a corner lot at 1650 South Eldorado Street and started in a small way in a shed built on the rear of the lot; four years ago he purchased his partner's interest and has since conducted the business alone. In 1923 Mr. Weaver erected a building 36x70 feet on his property, concrete and brick, making it as nearly fireproof as possible, and will be equipped with the best and most modern machinery. Two motor delivery wagons are required to take care of his business.

The marriage of Mr. Weaver united him with Miss Louise Cassinelli, a native of Jackson, Cal., and they are the parents of one son, Bob. Mr. Weaver is a member of the Exchange Club in Stockton and the National Association of Master Dyers & Cleaners.

Ref: Page 340-344

Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 10/27/2010

CAPT. CHARLES M. WEBER

A record of the life of Captain Weber, through the most important and fruitful years of his activity, might well be called also a history of the city of Stockton, of which he was the founder. The high standing of this place as a business center, as a locality of beautiful homes and prosperous people, may be attributed in no small degree to his early labors, and finally, when he was taken from the scenes of his usefulness, his body was laid to rest in a city of the dead whose site had been donated by him years before and whose artistic surroundings resulted from his cultivated taste and great liberality. As he recounted in his last days the history of his home town, he might well have exclaimed, "All of which I saw and part of which I was." No recital could be made of the early days of Stockton without considerable mention of his identification therewith, and his name is worthy of perpetuation not only in local annals, but also in the annals of the state which he chose for his home.

The birth of Captain Weber occurred in Homburg, Bavaria, Germany, February 16, 1814, during the reign of Emperor Napoleon I. It was the ambition of his father, who was a Protestant minister, that he should be educated for the ministry, and his school life was planned accordingly. He was early sent to the common school in Homburg, and upon his graduation therefrom entered the academy and began the study of ancient languages and French, at the same time receiving several hours private instruction daily, so that he might be prepared for the German universities at the proper age. The failure of his health under this undue mental pressure made it necessary for him to leave the university, where he had every prospect for making a fine record. This change in his plans was the means of turning his attention to the mercantile business, for which he had a natural adaptation, and which proved the entering wedge to his subsequent career in the New World. He had been in business but a short time when his thoughts turned to "the home of the free," and accompanied by a cousin he set out for America in 1836. It had been his intention to proceed up the Mississippi from New Orleans and visit a relative, Judge Hildegarde, at Belleville, Ill., the father of Eugene Hildegarde, professor emeritus of the University of California. The river was blocked with ice and instead he remained in New Orleans, where he secured employment in mercantile pursuits. Yellow fever was at that time very prevalent in the south and Mr. Weber fell a victim to the scourge. After his recovery he went to Texas, and while engaged in military service against the Mexicans he was again taken ill, in 1840, and by the advice of his physician he determined to locate in a cooler climate.

During the spring of 1841, while at St. Louis intending to proceed to Belleville, Ill., Captain Weber read a flowing description of the Pacific Coast written by Dr. John Marsh, a resident of California. The account was so fascinating and alluring that he determined to cross the desert to the coast and accordingly he joined the Bartelson party for the long journey to the West. It was his intention to spend the winter on the coast and then return to the States, but like so many other immigrants, when he fell under the witchery of the genial climate he wished to locate here permanently, and after spending the winter at Sutter's Fort he made no plans for returning to the East. His object in going to Sutter's Fort had been to make the acquaintance of Captain Sutter, to whom he had letters of introduction, and by whom he was employed as overseer during that winter. While there he found a quantity of seeds which had been presented to Captain Sutter as tokens of friendship and good will from William G. Ray, the representative of the Hudson Bay Company, the Russian agent at Bodega and captains of vessels on the coast. These seeds he planted as an experiment and from this was developed the fact that the valleys of the San Joaquin and the Sacramento were capable of becoming a paradise of fruits and flowers. Among the seeds were three varieties of tobacco, various flowers and vegetables, all of which grew and thrived wonderfully in the fertile soil.

It was about this time that Jose Jesus, the celebrated chief, visited the fort and Captain Weber formed his acquaintance. The two became friends, and in after years the chief was able to prove helpful to his comrade. With keen foresight the Captain decided that California eventually would be admitted, in part or whole, into the United States, and therefore he believed investments in land would prove profitable. Visiting San Jose in the spring, he formed a partnership with William Gulnac, and in 1842 they built a flour mill, embarked in the manufacture of shoes, made soap and also sea biscuits. The shoes they made were the first to be made in the entire state. July 14, 1843, Gulnac, who was a Mexican citizen, petitioned Governor Micheltorena in behalf of Captain Weber for a grant of eleven square leagues of land, to be located in the vicinity of French Camp in the San Joaquin Valley. He expressed a preference for the east side of the river, believing that this stream might form the line between Mexico and California in case of a division; another reason for this preference was that the east side was protected by the Hudson Bay Company's trappers. The governor granted Gulnac the tract of land known as the Rancho El Campo de los Franceses, January 13, 1844, and afterward this tract was transferred to Captain Weber. Cattle were herded upon the land and for a time the camp had its headquarters at the present site of Stockton, but later moved nearer to Sutter's Fort for the protection thus afforded. Having met with no success in an attempt to settle the grant, Captain Weber obtained a passport from the alcalde and visited Sutter's Fort for the purpose of making a treaty with Jose Jesus. In this he was successful and their alliance remained unbroken until the death of the chief. The Captain agreed to aid him in case of war between the Americans and native Californians or Mexicans. The chief advised the building of the village at the present site of Stockton and agreed to provide a war party in case protection was necessary from the Indians or Mexicans. During the Micheltorena wars the Captain rendered stanch assistance, joining the native Californians against the Mexicans, and when war was declared between Mexico and the United States he aided the latter and with his characteristic energy organized a cavalry company at San Jose and became its captain. After having made his home in San Jose from 1842 to 1847 he returned to the peninsula and here remained until his death.

With prophetic vision Captain Weber saw the possibilities which awaited those willing to take up their abode in the little settlement of Stockton, but men could not see the future as he did, and in spite of the liberal offers which he made they still held back, among other things fearing attacks from the Indians and an outbreak of the small-pox scourge. A writer in the Stockton Times in 1850 says: "Having been a resident of California for many years, and having known Captain Weber for four or five of these, I venture to say there are but few Americans now in this country who have lived here for any length of time, who have not been recipients of favors from this gentleman." There had been a large number of grants given in what is called the San Joaquin district, but none had the hardihood to settle their grants until 1846. It was next to impossible for Weber to get men enough to offer any protection against the Indians, as everybody thought the risk too great for the benefits received. He succeeded in getting a few to settle with him, among whom were B.J. Thompson and Andy Baker, and finally, after losing cattle and horses and paying an extravagant price for labor, he succeeded in establishing a ranch where Stockton now stands."

Concerning the home of Captain Weber, the famous poet and traveler, Bayard Taylor, writes as follows: "We were greatly delighted with our visit to Captain Weber's, who transformed a tract of land between two sloughs into a garden. There is no more delightful villa in existence. A thick hedge, outside of which is a row of semi-tropical trees, surrounds the peninsula. The gate opened into a lofty avenue of trellis work, where the sunshine strikes through branches of amethyst and chrysolite, while on either hand beds of roses fill the air with odor. The house is low but spacious, the woodwork of natural redwood. Vine-covered verandas surround it and every window discloses a vision of plants that would be the glory of any greenhouse on the Atlantic Coast. In Mrs. Weber I found the acquaintance of my former visit. Well I remember the day when, hungry and footsore, I went to the door of her father's house in the valley of the San Jose and found her reading a poem of mine. Her father saddled his horse and rode with me to the top of the mountain, and her own hands prepared the grateful supper and breakfast that gave me strength for the tramp to Monterey. The garden delighted us beyond measure. The walks were waist deep in fuchsias and geraniums, and the pepper trees, with their loose, misty boughs, hailed us as do friends from Athens. A row of Italian cypresses were shooting rapidly above the other boughs in the garden. How they will transform the character of the landscape when their dark obelisks stand in full stature!"

As may be inferred from the above, Captain Weber was a lover of flowers, and indeed, from the time of his early experiences with seeds which were given him by Captain Sutter he never ceased to experiment with every kind of seed or shrub that came under his notice. Many of these he obtained from Japan and Europe, and also from the missions. As an incentive to others to follow his lead in this enterprise he supplied those interested with seeds and shrubs from his own garden, and was especially interested in inculcating the love of nature in the hearts of children. With him, time and money were no object in furthering this cause, and no county fair was complete without his exhibit of fruits, flowers and shrubs. For many years his garden was open at all times to the public.

Meanwhile Captain Weber was aiding the development of Stockton by every means within his power. Every church that applied to him received a donation of land. Land was also given to the city and county, and August 28, 1851, he deeded the public squares, streets and channels to the city. The land occupied by the San Joaquin Catholic cemetery was donated by him and he gave a large portion of the purchase money for the Rural cemetery. In later years he devoted much personal attention to the garden of St. Agnes' academy, which was noted for its beauty. To protect the city from overflow, he superintended the building of a bulkhead on Stanislaus Street and dug a canal on East and North Streets; $30,000 of his money went into the improvement of California Street, and he gave generously to the building up of other avenues. When the natural course of events made the property in the valley valuable, squatters began to give him trouble. The heirs of Gulnac attempted to wrest the land from him and in defending his title he spent vast sums of money, rendering necessary in order to pay for the litigation, the sacrifice of his valuable property in San Francisco. Finally he had the gratification of receiving the incontestable patent signed by President Lincoln. While it was necessary for him to eject squatters for the protection of his title and the title of those to whom he had sold, many of these squatters found in him a stanch and generous friend, who aided them to get a start elsewhere. Besides the property which he owned in San Joaquin County Captain Weber owned a large ranch in Santa Clara County, upon which he engaged extensively in breeding and raising high-grade horses and cattle.

During the Civil War Captain Weber was stanch in his allegiance to the Union cause and exerted a powerful influence in moulding the sentiment of this region. Early in the war he sent to Oregon and bought for a flagstaff a pole 120 feet long. This he planted on an island west of his residence. After every Union victory the stars and stripes could be seen waving in the air and for miles in every direction the sight would tell that Union arms were again victorious. In politics the Captain voted with the Republican party, but he was not a politician and preferred to devote himself to movements for the public good, without respect to political ties or views. When he passed away, May 14, 1881, the people of Stockton regarded his demise as a public loss. A large concourse assembled to pay him the last tribute of respect when the funeral was held, under the auspices of Archbishop Alemany of San Francisco. Up to the day of his death he was in full possession of his faculties and actively interested in all of his various enterprises.

The marriage of Captain Weber united him, November 29, 1850, with Miss Helen Murphy, a member of the celebrated Murphy party of 1844. Three children were born to them, of whom Charles M., Jr., at one time represented Santa Clara County in the state legislature; both he and the younger son, Thomas J. are now deceased. The only daughter, Miss Julia H. Weber, of Stockton, makes her home near the city so indissolubly associated with the life-work of her father and is everywhere honored as a member of an interesting and celebrated pioneer family. Mrs. Weber, who died April 11, 1895, was a daughter of Martin and Mary (Foley) Murphy, the latter an aunt of Bishop John Foley of Detroit and the late Bishop Thomas Foley of Chicago. In temperament Captain Weber was impulsive, though forgiving and large-hearted, was liked by all with whom he came in contact in every walk of life, and he was also highly respected for the high moral principles which actuated him in all he undertook.

Ref: Page 999

Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 10/28/2010

CHARLES OSCAR WEBER

A successful California rancher of whom the progressive agriculturists in San Joaquin County may well be proud, is Charles Oscar Weber, living two and one-half miles to the south of Clements, near which place he was born on April 7, 1878, the son of Charles Kimball and Louisa Mohrmann Weber, born in New Hampshire and Iowa respectively, who came to California about sixty years ago, early enough for them still to render the state some worthwhile service as pioneers. Mr. Weber settled on a ranch about two and a half miles south of the site of the present Clements, when Lockeford was the post office and one had to take a long, far look to discern a neighbor. Six children came to gladden Mr. and Mrs. Weber. Minnie has become Mrs. G. Linn; Charles O. is the subject of our interesting sketch; Carrie is Mrs. Daniel Linn, of Stockton; Elsie is Mrs. Clarence McPherson of near Lockeford; Mamie is Mrs. Pettengill, and lives at San Jose; and Bernice is Mrs. Clifford, also of Lockeford.

Charles O. Weber attended both the Grant and the Brandt schools, and when the road past his father's house became a county highway and a bridge was erected across Bear Creek, he attended the Athearn school at Clements. Still later, he profited by an excellent commercial course at the Stockton Business College. He remained home assisting his father in farming and stockraising until he was married on the Dilmond Steacy Ranch, west of Mackville, on December 20, 1908, to Miss Marietta Crawford, a native of the Brandt school district, San Joaquin County, and the daughter of William B. and Minnie (Anderson) Crawford, born in Illinois and Denmark respectively and married in California. Mrs. Crawford died when Marietta was eleven years old, and her father passed away in her twelfth year, one year and one day after her mother's death, leaving her and a brother named Morgan. Then she was reared by the Dilmond Steacy family, where she lived until she was married. While her parents were yet living, they had moved into Stockton, where the family lived for a while; and so it happened that she attended the Washington school. Then her folks removed to Murphy, in Calaveras County, and there she attended the Peppermint district school.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Weber bought the old Weber home place of 160 acres. In 1916 they added 160 acres, and in 1920 acquired another half-section. The 160 acres and the 320 acres are in the Bellota district in the eastern end of San Joaquin County, and are used as grazing land; while the half-section is farm land and can be cultivated. Mr. Weber has twelve head of work horses, and is well equipped with the most modern of farm appliances. He also leases from his father at Lockeford and is engaged in grain and stock raising. He is a Republican in matters of national political import, and is ever ready both to "boost" the local section and to support any well-endorsed measure likely to work for the prosperity of the country as a whole. Mr. Weber is an Odd Fellow, affiliated with the Clements lodge, No. 355, I.O.O.F. He has two children, Melvin Oscar and Lester Kimball, who are attending the Athearn school.

Ref: Page 1603

Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/01/2010

JOHN K. WEBER

Among the farmer folk who have recently become residents of the Lodi vicinity of San Joaquin County is John K. Weber, who came to the county in 1920 and purchased a ten-acre vineyard three miles west of Lodi on the Sargent Road where he resides with his family. He was born in Morristown, Minn., August 26, 1881, a son of Jacob and Louise (Oehler) Weber, early farmers of the Morristown vicinity, where the father took up a homestead and engaged in farming there for the remainder of his life. The mother also spent her last days there, passing away in 1893. This worthy couple were the parents of twelve children, nine of whom are now living: Louise; Mrs. Katie Neubauer resides at Lodi; Emma, now Mrs. J. Wagner, lives at Lodi; John K. is the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Amelia Switzenberg, lives in Morristown, Minn.; Christina lives in Morristown; Mrs. Hilda Turner resides in Lodi; Mrs. Lena Rosseau lives in Morristown; Mrs. Alma Switzenberg also resides in Morristown; Jacob, Albert and Lena are deceased.

John K. Weber attended the grammar school at Morristown, Minn., and spent twenty-seven years of his life on his father's farm, assisting his father with the farm work from the time he was large enough to guide a plow. In January, 1909, at Morristown, Minn., he was married to Miss Bertha Schmidtke, also a native of Morristown and a schoolmate of her husband. She is the daughter of Herman and Amelia (Reiske) Schmidtke, farmers in Minnesota, and the parents of nine children. After his marriage Mr. Weber leased 360 acres in the vicinity of Morristown where he farmed until 1920, when he sold his farming equipment and came to California, locating on his present ranch. His ranch consists of ten acres of producing vineyard, well irrigated. Mr. and Mrs. Weber have six children: Alvin, Edwin, Lucile, Leona, Leslie and Edna, the two youngest being twins. The family are identified with the Lutheran Church of Lodi. Mr. Weber is a Republican.

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Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/01/2010

JOSHUA BERTRAM WEBSTER

During his lifetime there were probably few members of the legal profession in California more widely known or accounted more of an authority on patent law than the late Joshua Bertram Webster, who passed away December 7, 1914. Endowed with a keen mentality and a broad and liberal experience, he maintained a high standard of professional ethics, and occupied a well-deserved place in the community which was his home for so many years, as a member of the law firm of Webster, Webster & Blewett. His father, Joshua Webster, was born in West Parish, Haverhill, Mass., on the old Webster farm, on August 17, 1795, and passed away at Stockton, January 7, 1871. On November 24, 1820, he married Elizabeth Bartlett Chase in Haverhill, Mass., and in 1825 they removed to Boston, where he engaged in the sale of shoe trimmings and clothing. In 1837 he became a director of the Kilby Bank of Boston, and was prominent in the life of the Hub City of those days. He was the founder of the town of Maplewood, Mass., in 1847; here he bought 200 acres, and laid out the town with wide streets and ornamental trees. To boom the future town, he formed a company for the purpose of promoting a railroad through the town, running from Malden to Saugus, and he was the first president of the company, as well as the owner of much real estate in this section. Active in politics, he was an old-time Whig and later a Republican, and as a Whig, he was an intimate acquaintance of Henry Clay and Daniel Webster.

Joshua Bertram Webster was born at Boston, Mass., September 21, 1838, and attended the public schools there until he was sixteen years of age, then went to sea as a sailor, to satisfy his love of adventure, his first voyage being to England. When he returned to America, he shipped for San Francisco, going around the Horn and arriving in San Francisco in 1856, just in time to participate in some of the activities of the Vigilantes, and witnessing many of the stirring events of that period. In 1857 he located at Stockton and the following year he went to Cape Flattery, where he opened a trading post and dealt with the Indians for three years. Returning to Stockton in 1861, he engaged in the hardware business there for a number of years, but he had for many yeas desired to enter the legal profession, so took up the study of law at Stockton and was admitted to the bar in 1882. He specialized in the field of patent law and was known throughout the state as an expert in the field of intricacies of its practice. During many years and under many national administrations he served as U.S. Commissioner for the district of Northern California, and in his court, defendants were arraigned before being taken before the U.S. District Court for trial. A man of cool, judicious mind, in his legal work he carefully weighed all the evidence before him, and when he had determined where the preponderance of right and justice lay, he had the courage to give his verdict accordingly.

During the early days of Stockton, Mr. Webster was a member of the famous old Volunteer Fire Department, and was prominent in the ranks of the Exempt Firemen, being president of that body for a number of years. Always a firm advocate of Prohibition, he stumped the state in its advocacy, and that in the days when it was far from being a popular issue. He also espoused the cause of the Salvation Army and gave freely to its charitable activities.

On September 4, 1875, Mr. Webster was married to Miss Alta Marie Stowe, who passed away on February 8, 1885, the mother of the following children: Violet Atla is the wife of George F. Dunham, a prominent architect of Portland, Ore.; Royal Bertram is a priest in the Roman Catholic Church and a teacher in St. Patrick's Seminary at Menlo Park, Cal.; Ethel May is the wife of Edward H. Charette, a druggist by profession; he served two years with the Red Cross in Siberia and was taken prisoner there, passing through many hardships and perilous experiences; they now reside at Stockton; Percy Stowe Webster is a prominent attorney at Stockton.

Mr. Webster's second marriage, which took place on September 19, 1889, united him with Mrs. Helen A. (Proper) Morgan, who was born near Syracuse, N.Y., and came to California with her mother in 1855, when she was seven years of age, her father having preceded the family here in 1849, mining in Calaveras County; there Mrs. Webster was reared and for nineteen years taught school there and in San Joaquin County. Her first marriage united her with Rev. Caleb Morgan, a Congregational minister, who passed away in 1868. She takes an active part in the work of the Congregational Church at Stockton, and maintains her residence in the family home at 436 East Lindsay Street.

Ref: Page 1447

Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/01/2010

MRS. NELLIE WEHR

A native daughter, Mrs. Nellie Wehr was born in Cherokee, now called Tyler, Nevada County. Her father, Jeremiah Morrison, was a native of Ireland, where he learned the blacksmith trade. He emigrated to New Orleans, La., and there married Miss Isabella Gilday, also a native of the Emerald Isle, born in Donegal, who had come to New Orleans, La., with her uncle. In 1849 or 1850, Mr. Morrison came via Panama to San Francisco, where he followed his trade, and then later made his way to Cherokee, Nevada County, and established himself in the blacksmith's business. His shop came to be the leading establishment in the place in the "days of '49," when they shod oxen as well as horses at the smithy. He died on December 11, 1867. His widow survived him for many years, passing away at Redding, while on a visit, in April, 1906, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. There were five children born to this pioneer couple: Mrs. Mary Huy, who died at Redding; Mrs. Sarah Collins, residing in Redding; Hanora, now Mrs. James Graham, residing in Stockton; Mrs. Isabelle Cuddy, of Southwick, Idaho; and Mrs. Nellie Wehr, of this review.

Nellie Morrison spent her childhood in Cherokee, and there she received a good education in the public schools. Her first marriage took place in Sacramento, and united her with Samuel O. Hurlbut, who was born in New York State. He crossed the plains with his parents in an ox-team train in the early fifties, taking up his residence in Sacramento, and there he attended public school. Soon after the breaking out of the Civil War he responded to his country's call, enlisting on August 29, 1861, in Company F, 2nd Regular California Cavalry, and served until he was honorably discharged at San Francisco, September 24, 1864. He spent several years as a moulder in railroad shops, and thereafter as stationary engineer, until his death at Angels Camp, April 20, 1905. Fraternally, he was a member of the Red Men.

Soon after Mr. Hurlbut's passing, his widow removed to Stockton, where she made her home until her marriage with John Wehr, a native of Wisconsin and a mining man. Mr. Wehr was accidentally killed at the Shawmut mine, April 28, 1909. A son, Warren O., was born to Mr. and Mrs. Wehr. He is a manufacturer of radio instruments in San Francisco. Mrs. Wehr now makes her home in Stockton, surrounded by her many friends, who appreciate her for her many acts of kindness and hospitality.

Ref: Page 720-723

Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/01/2010

CLARK GARRETT WELSH

Succeeding well in life's affairs, Clark Garrett Welsh has become one of the well-known ranchers of San Joaquin County, where he has devoted himself to the agricultural and viticultural industries. He is the son of Garrett and Emma (Stuck) Welsh, and was born in Sioux City, Iowa, October 25, 1882. Garrett Welsh was a farmer and later moved to Mitchell, S.D., where he bought a section of land and raised grain, remaining there until 1904, when he came to California and bought an eighty-acre ranch on the Mokelumne River, sixty acres of which was in vineyard and the balance bottom land. The family resided on this ranch until 1909, when it was sold and the parents removed to Oakland, Cal., where they now reside. There were two sons, Clark Garrett and Raymond N.

The early mental training of Clark Garrett Welsh began in the grammar schools near Mitchell, S.D., and after his parents moved to San Joaquin County he attended the grammar school at Woodbridge and the Stockton high school. After his school days were over, he was employed in San Francisco until his marriage, which occured in Stockton, May 20, 1915, and united him with Miss Beatrice Snedigar, a daughter of Dr. Willis Spencer and Mary Ann (Solinger) Snedigar. In 1852 Grandfather Thomas F. Snedigar crossed the plains to California and settled in Stanislaus County, where he engaged in farming and stockraising, becoming a large landowner. The biography of Dr. Willis S. Snedigar appears on another page in this history. Beatrice Welsh was born in Stockton. She was reared in an atmosphere of culture and refinement, and presides gracefully over their home. Their union has been blessed with five children: Kenneth S., Donald James, Bonnie Jean, Enid Laverne, and Willis Clark. Mrs. Welsh inherited a 32-acre full-bearing vineyard from her mother, on which Mr. and Mrs. Welsh make their home. They not only operate their own place but also Grandmother Sollinger's vineyard of twenty acres adjoining, and they are meeting with deserved success. In politics, Mr. Welsh is a Republican. He is devotedly attached to San Joaquin County and deeply interested in its welfare and progress, and has found no place more attractive than the one he has chosen for his home.

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Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/01/2010

PAUL WENCEL

A native of Hungary who has profited greatly by coming to America and adopting this as his land, is Paul Wencel, who was born in that region now known as Czecho-Slovakia, in a picturesque town called Ratzesdorf, where he first saw the light on February 24, 1871, the son of Paul and Susana (Lechner) Wencel. His father was a farmer, and in such comfortable circumstances that he was considered well-to-do, and he was over eighty years old when he died, during the first year of the World War. His mother was also over eighty years of age when she passed away in 1918. Five children were born to this worthy couple, all of whom, in turn, were given superior and most attractive home surroundings. Matt lives at Lyons, Colo.; Mrs. Susana Gschweng has remained in Hungary; Paul is the subject of our story; Rosina is also in the old country; and Ludwig is a farmer in Brighton, Colo.

Owing to local economic conditions, Paul was able to attend school only in the winter time, for during the summer he was compelled to work hard on the farm; and he continued to help his father on his large farm until he was twenty-four years of age, when he married. On February 18, 1895, at the home of the bride, in Hungary, he was joined in matrimony with Miss Christina Gschweng, a native of the same district in which Mr. Wencel was born. Her folks were also agriculturists, and she was one of a family of six children: Michael, Ludwig and Paul are still living in the Old World; and Mrs. Paulina Praschak of Acampo, and Susana, now Mrs. Weng, in Lyons, Colo.; and Christina is Mrs. Wencel. The latter enjoyed the same limited educational advantages as her husband. On marrying Mr. and Mrs. Wencel acquired about twelve acres of land and a spacious homestead; and there they lived from 1895 to 1908. In the meantime, in 1904, Mr. Wencel crossed the ocean to America, arriving in March, and returning to Europe in September, availing himself of the opportunity to visit his brother in Colorado. In the spring of 1908 he removed with his wife and three children to the Centennial State and also brought his father and mother; but the latter eventually returned to their native country, and there ended their days.

In 1910 Mr. Wencel came to California and settled and bought his present ranch of twenty acres, about two miles to the northwest of Acampo. The ranch was set out to Tokay, Zinfandel and Berger grapes, all excellent stock, and Mr. Wencel was not long in putting in a four-inch pumping plant, with a ten-horsepower electric motor, by which he has developed an adequate supply of good water. He has had the satisfaction of seeing his five children comfortably provided for. Paul, Christina, Fred, Daniel and Esther all have attended the Houston school; and Fred attends the Lodi high school, while Paul is assisting his father on the ranch. Mr. and Mrs. Wencel have prospered greatly in California, and the best feature of their story is that all who know them are always glad to learn of their good fortune.

Ref: Page 1527-1528

Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/02/2010

CHRIS WENZELBURGER

An enterprising, experienced and very successful rancher, and one who obtains the best results in the raising of both grain and stock, is Chris Wenzelburger, who lives about six miles to the southeast of Clements. He was born in Wittenberg, Germany, on January 25, 1870, the son of Chris and Carry (Fisher) Wenzelburger,—the former a baker by trade who came to California at the age of twenty-one, voyaging around the Horn in a sailing vessel which made the trip in eighty-eight days. Our subject was one of six children. Mary is married and as Mrs. Gunder she is living in the state of Washington. Kate is Mrs. Gohrman of San Francisco, her husband being a druggist at the corner of Market and Valencia streets. William is at Othello, Wash.; and Vera is Mrs. Mohrmann and lives at Driad, Wash. Mr. Wenzelburger, the father, lived to be eighty-eight years old, and passed away at his home in Washington, and Mrs. Wenzelburger died at their ranch home on the Chahales River in Washington, at the age of eighty-two. In 1880, Chris Wenzelburger, Sr., had settled on a half-section south of the present home of our subject, on land called the Mokelumne Grant, southeast of the well-known Round Timbers Rancho taken up by J. Wright Johnson. At that time, the land was thickly settled, and there was a rancher on every quarter-section. When the railroad company was given each odd-numbered section of land, the farmers became discouraged, and rather than pay the company a second time for the land, they moved out of the county, thus depopulating that section of the country. The Brandt school, for example, came to have only fifty pupils, while now it is discontinued. In 1890 Mr. Wenzelburger lost out on his land, and went north to Washington, where he bought a ranch on the Chahales River, living there until he died.

Chris Wenzelburger, Jr., attended the Brandt school, and on September 18, 1891, married Miss Mary Cordoza, a native of Sonoma County, and the daughter of Antone and Hulda (Drew) Cordoza. Her father was a native of Portugal, who came to the United States when he was sixteen years old. He settled in Sonoma County, and there farmed for ten years; and then moved to Stone Corral, in Calaveras County, where he lived for forty years. Five daughters were born to this worthy couple. Belle, who became Mrs. Thomas, lived at La Fevre, and died there of pneumonia. Mary is the accomplished wife of our subject. Elsie has become a San Franciscan, and Lillian, Mrs. Brandt, and Genevia, Mrs. Peterson, both live in the Bay City.

After his marriage, Mr. Wenzelburger rented and farmed land for about ten years, but he saw that he was not getting ahead in that way, so he purchased 400 acres of land about six miles to the southeast of Clements, and built a fine farm home there, and put in many improvements; and since that time he has purchased additional land adjoining his original ranch, until now he owns some 2,400 acres of fine land. Although this is suited mostly for general farming, he also uses it to some extent for the raising of stock, of which he has 250 head, young and old, on the ranch, while he has sixteen head of work-horses. His main crops are barley and oats. The one son born to Mr. and Mrs. Wenzelburger, named Fred, is also successfully farming near his father's home place.

Mr. Wenzelburger is a member of the Modern Woodmen, at Clements, and he is a stand-pat Republican. But he is first, last, and all the time, an American, and, as such, is vitally and enthusiastically interested in the welfare of the country at large, and the prosperity of the district in which he lives, operates and thrives.

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Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/02/2010

FRED WENZELBURGER

A very wide-awake, progressive and prosperous young rancher, who always has something to show for his scientific theories and his practical devices and methods, representing the "last word" in agricultural science, is Fred Wenzelburger, who was born on the old home ranch of his father, about six miles to the southeast of Clements, on July 30, 1892, the son of Chris and Mary (Cordoza) Wenzelburger, whose interesting life-story is given in greater detail elsewhere in this work. His father first saw the light in the famous old city of Wittenberg, in Germany, in 1870, and twenty years later married into one of the old established Portuguese-American families, enviably associated with the history of Northern California.

Fred attended the Brandt school, and later pursued the excellent courses in business training at the Heald's commercial college at Stockton. Thus well-equipped, he started out for himself when eighteen years of age, and then took up the trade of a machinist, and in harvesting time he worked with threshing outfits. He was in the service of Shedd & Hannah, at Tracy, and after that worked for the Harris Manufacturing Company at Stockton, joining their staff in the construction department.

At the Linn Rancho, about two miles east of his own home, on February 17, 1915, he was married to Miss Oleta Linn, who was born near Clements, and is the daughter of Daniel and Carrie (Weber) Linn. Her father came to California in early days, and lived for years on the Walter McGary Rancho, two miles east of Lockeford, until he moved to a place about four miles southeast of Clements. Here he purchased 320 acres, and her father still owns the ranch today. Mr. and Mrs. Wenzelburger live on their place of 320 acres, upon which he erected a bungalow and farm buildings. Mrs. Wenzelburger received her education at the Grant and Brandt country school and the Stockton Commercial College.

Mr. Wenzelburger first bought 160 acres of land adjoining the Linn ranch. They have eight head of mules and two head of horses, and prefer the power thus derived to that of the tractor. Mr. Wenzelburger takes great pride in both his farm land and in his working of it, and constantly endeavors to raise his standards. At the same time, he takes a live interest in what is going on in the world about him; and, as a good Republican, but what is better still, a broad-minded American, he contributes to making the world a better place in which to live.

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Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/04/2010

DAVID D. WERNER

A progressive and successful vineyardist, who lives near Kenefick Station, on the traction line, about five miles northeast of Acampo, is David D. Werner, a native of Hutchinson County, S.D., where he was born January 12, 1884. His father, Fred Werner, was a native of Russia who came out to South Dakota, preempted and homesteaded land and raised grain, and married Miss Elizabeth Reiswig, also a native of Russia, who had likewise come to South Dakota. They had twelve children, of whom nine are living today: Mary, John, Abraham, David, Adam, Sarah, Emmett, Fred (deceased), Fred (the ninth-born, also deceased), Katherine, Miriam, and Leona.

David Werner was educated in the grammar schools of Hutchinson County and remained at home until he was of age, when, in 1905, he came out to California. On February 9, 1906, he married Miss Katherine Baumbach, the daughter of George and Charlotte (Delck) Baumbach, substantial farmer-folks, who took up homestead and preemption land. One of their daughters, Mrs. Werner's sister, married John Bechtold. Both Mr. and Mrs. Baumbach are living in Canada today. In 1906 Mr. Werner bought twenty acres on the traction line near Kenefick Station, ten acres of which are in vineyard, and ten in open farmland, well irrigated by means of a six-horse-power motor and a three-inch pump. Mr. Werner farms according to the latest methods with excellent results. Mr. and Mrs. Werner have five children: Ernest, Fred, Clarence, Viola and Dorothy. Mr. Werner belongs to the Church of God at Lodi.

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Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/04/2010

WEST SIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL

Few institutions of learning have done more to help shape the destiny of the younger and fast growing communities than has the West Side Union high school. The excellent standing of this institution as an accredited high school admitting students to colleges and universities without further examinations meets the entire satisfaction of all concerned. The high standard of this school is partly due to the scholarly and untiring work of its former principal, George Wadsworth.

The grounds include ten acres facing the recently completed Lincoln Highway. A group of fine concrete buildings have been erected at a cost of $200,000 and are an excellent monument to the energetic citizens of Tracy and the West Side. There are excellent facilities for athletics, including a new gymnasium, concrete tennis courts together with football gridiron, baseball ground and field for track and all other events. The gymnasium that has just been completed represents a financial outlay of $45,000, the equipment of this department being modern and complete in very sense.

The high school course includes four years' work, beginning with the ninth and extending through the twelfth grade. There is also an opportunity for a year's post-graduate work and it is expected that this will be extended as the opportunity offers itself. As a modern high school the program includes in addition to the regular academic courses, a commercial department, manual arts, including machine shop, auto mechanics, woodwork and mechanical drawing. The physical education and athletics department is under the supervision of a man employed especially for that work.

All student affairs are in charge of a representative body known as the executive committee; with the approval of the administration their decision is final. The high school at present is under the administration of H.O. Williams as principal and the remainder of the faculty is as follows: vice-principal, L.E. Richards; Mr. Richards has charge of the science department; Miss Leila Sloan, History; Miss Ruth Templeton, home economics; Miss Elizabeth Wetmore, commercial department; Miss Minerva Turner, English; Miss Alice Sharp, Spanish; Mr. W.F. Drew, manual arts; Mr. A.J. Fagin, physical education department; and Mr. A.A. Graham has charge of the instrumental music and is the conductor of an orchestra of twenty-five pieces. Each one in the faculty is a specialist in his department and the citizens of the West Side have every reason to feel proud of the continued advancement that has been and is being made by the school.

Vocationalized ideas of education are growing in high schools through the country and the West Side Union School is not lacking along this line in the opportunities it has to offer students. The most excellent opportunities in all departments are being offered not only in the day school but in the evening classes as well. In addition to the regular day school courses that are offered, courses in Americanization are taught in the evening school. Gymnasium classes for the business men and women are proving very attractive. From the present indications the West Side Union high school promises to keep abreast with the modern ideas of education.

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Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/04/2010

WEST SIDE IRRIGATION DISTRICT

With nearly 12,000 acres of fertile land under irrigation, producing abundantly rich crops, the originators and backers of the great West Side Irrigation District, in the Tracy country, have cause for general rejoicing. This magnificent system cost in the neighborhood of $545,000, and its operation under most favorable conditions stands out as a glowing tribute to the men who labored so loyally carrying the big project forward along progressive lines. All the preliminary organization details from a legal standpoint were worked out by Neumiller & Ditz, of Stockton, and the bond issues and contracts by Crittenden & Hench, who handled all matters in an able manner, and did much to push forward the sale of the irrigation bonds at the right time.

The West Side Irrigation District is the first one of its kind in the West, and it unique in that the water supply is not governed by seasonable conditions in the mountains, and, consequently, the district is not limited to seasons of operation. There is a big acreage of alfalfa, where formerly some ninety per cent. of the land was in barley and wheat. Many of the farmers have planted a variety of products, including fruit trees of various kinds, corn, potatoes, beans, sugar beets, and garden truck, all securing splendid results.

Water is pumped from the head of the intake canal from Old River, which cost in the neighborhood of $32,000, including the right of way, bridge over the road, and all other costs. This runs from Bethany Ferry to a point just north of the Southern Pacific Railroad, where the huge pumping plant is located. The water is pumped from this point through two pipe lines to two big main canals, one at an elevation of fifty-five feet and the other at an elevation of 110 feet. The water is then carried through these canals and laterals to the highest point of each 160 acres in the district. The intake canal is one and one-eighth miles long, the excavation being from 85 to 100 feet wide and from twelve to twenty-eight feet deep. A notable feature of this big project is the fact that the pumps can be operated separately or all together and all started or stopped by one operator at a switchboard.

The pumps provide enough water in fifty-two days to cover each acre of land in the district one foot deep, and the total horsepower of the plant is about 2,000. There are some sixty-two headgates, consisting of concrete inlets and outlets, with corrugated iron pipes through embankments, the gates being operated by screw lift devices. In the construction work ten railroad crossings were built under the tracks, together with concrete inlets and outlets. The flumes consist of two concrete and two wooden ones. Sixty-eight combined drop structures, road crossings and check gates, made of corrugated iron pipe of special construction, were necessary to complete the details.

Twenty-two reinforced concrete county highway crossings and siphons and sixty-six wooden takeout gates were installed on this project. A complete telephone system of three wires with underground road crossings, equipped with drop signals and telephone instruments every mile and a half, was installed. Power for the great project is furnished by the Pacific Gas & Electric Company. Substantial houses have been built for the engineer and employees of the plant.

Among the well-known early day boosters who worked energetically with other leading interests for the formation of the project are such well-known leaders as A. Grunauer, C.A. Slack, A.R. Arnold, Linne Brothers, J.D. Van Ormer, L. Kroner, Lewis Parker, S.A. Shearer, Fred P. Von Sosten, Peter P. Schmidt, the Heinbockel brothers, Henry A. Frerichs, George J. Luhrsen, Mrs. Anna Von Sosten, D.J. Looney, Neil and Tom Looney, Neil Fabian, W.G. Lang and others. The first meeting was held on November 9, 1915, and Samuel A. Shearer was chosen chairman or president, W.G. Hunter of Stockton as engineer, who resigned, and was succeeded by the present engineer, Mr. W.D. Harrington, in November, 1918. At present Henry Frerichs is president; Mrs. Bertha M. McGee, treasurer; and George L. Parker, assessor. Neumiller & Ditz were chosen as attorneys; later Crittenden & Hench became attorneys for the project. Mr. Ditz was the first secretary, but upon his resignation, William Von Sosten was chosen to fill that office; in 1917 John C. Chrisman was chosen secretary. The people of Tracy and this section of Central California are proud of this big irrigation achievement, as it has proven early day statements made by men who had faith in the solidity of the enterprise.

Ref: Page 438-441

Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/04/2010

FRED A. WEST

A well-known citizen and representative agriculturist of San Joaquin County, Fred A. West, who is also chief engineer of the city pumping plant, was born near Mark West Hot Springs, Cal., on March 14, 1880, so called in honor of the founder, Mark West, the grandfather of our subject. At the age of fourteen he was a printer's devil on the Sonoma Democrat at Santa Rosa and while there read the Stockton Mail and became greatly interested in Stockton on account of the manufactories. Being mechanically inclined and having had some experience in a machine shop, when he was eighteen years old he decided to go to Stockton, so he borrowed ten dollars from a friend and upon his arrival in Stockton on November 1, 1898, his sole possessions amounted to two dollars and seventy-five cents. He then secured employment in the blacksmith shop and foundry of the Houser-Haines Company and later in the blacksmith shop and construction room of the Holt Manufacturing Company. He first learned to fire the engine of the harvester and later he was sent out with the harvester, first to Fresno and then to Ione. In 1906 he secured his first job with the city of Stockton when he ran the new steam roller on the streets of the city and has been in the employ of the city ever since. He next ran a gas ditching machine; then was transferred to the city pumping station and still later became chief engineer of same. When the new outfall sewer was completed in 1920 and the new $120,000 pumping plant installed Mr. West was put in charge of the plant, which he is handling with thoroughness and capability.

The marriage of Mr. West occurred in 1907 and united him with Miss Bertha Lehman, a native of Roberts Island and a daughter of the late Henry Lehman, a native of Germany, an early settler of the county, who located on Roberts Island in 1865 and farmed there for many years. Mr. West now farms a forty-nine-acre ranch on the island, the property of Mrs. West. Mr. and Mrs. West are the parents of two children: Elaine and Fred L. Fraternally he is past sachem of the Red Men, past commander of the Maccabees and past president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

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Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/04/2010

JOSEPH S. WEST, M.D.

Among the strong and forceful personalities who have lent their aid to medical science the name of Joseph S. West stands out with peculiar clearness. He was born at Argyle's Landing, Currituck County, N.C., on August 22, 1844, his youth being spent in the usual way, attending school and helping to operate his father's plantation; he then set about to learn engine construction at the Tredegar Iron Works at Richmond, Va. In March, 1861, he entered the service of his country in Company C under Captain W. Prescott, Tredegar Battalion, for the purpose of defense of the Tredegar Iron Works. On August 15, 1861, he joined the Norfolk Light Artillery Blues, C.S.A., under Captain Vickery, stationed at Sewell's Point, on Hampton Roads, Norfolk County, Va., for defense of Norfolk, Portsmouth and Gosport Navy Yard; several naval battles were participated in between the Confederate Virginia (Merrimac) and the U.S. ships Cumberland, Congress, Roanoke, St. Lawrence, etc., and with the famous Monitor, these battles occurring during March, 1862; he also participated during the Seven Days fight with McClellan around Richmond, Va., remaining with the "Blues" until September 21, 1862, when he received a commission in the Confederate Navy as third assistant engineer; he reported for duty to Commodore Josiah Tattnall, flag officer commanding at Savannah, Ga., on October 8 and two days later was assigned to duty on board the C.S. Iron Clad Atlanta, Captain W. Blair, commander, as third assistant engineer and on May 21, 1863, was promoted to second assistant engineer. About June 17, 1863, the Atlanta, then being commanded by Captain Webb, in Warsaw Sound, on the coast of Georgia, engaged in battle with two monitors, the Weehawken and the Nahaut, and a wooden "double ender" gunboat. Going aground on a bar, about three miles from land, the Iron Clad finally surrendered, after losing several men. The men on board the ship were paroled and sent ashore, and Mr. West with the officers was held a prisoner until October 16, 1864; meantime being shifted from Warsaw Sound, Ga., to Hilton Head, S.C., to Fortress Monroe, Va., to Philadelphia, to Fort LaFayette, New York Harbor, and to Fort Warren, Boston Harbor, arriving there on July 4, 1863, where the prisoners remained until they were carried back to the James River, Va., where they were exchanged at a landing called Verina, above City Point, General Grant coming aboard the little river steamer on which they were detained and addressing them kindly and assuring them of their exchange. The prisoners were taken up to Richmond, Va., visiting the Secretary of the Navy, who then took them over to President Jefferson Davis. Within the next few days, Mr. West went on board the C.S. gunboat Hampton of the James River fleet, as chief engineer, remaining with her until the evacuation of Richmond, with the other vessels of the fleet guarding the river approach to Richmond. At the evacuation of Richmond, the fleet was commanded by Rear Admiral Raphael Simms, late commander of the Alabama in her battle with the Kearsarge; the shipping was destroyed at Richmond and the soldiers marched inland as far as Greensboro, N.C., where the most of them joined Gen. Joseph E. Johnson's army, Mr. West taking the rank as junior lieutenant, and on May 1, 1865, the army surrendered to Gen. W.T. Sherman, Mr. West being then twenty years of age.

Returning home, Mr. West was employed, for a time, as steam engineer; later he began reading medicine and attending lectures at the Eclectic Medical Institute and at the Ohio Medical College, both located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was graduated from the former institution in 1874. Returning to his home at Hickory Ground, Norfolk County, Va., Dr. West began the practice of medicine and continued until March 4, 1878, when he started for California, locating in Colusa, where he engaged in the practice of his profession until his removal to Tracy in 1904. During Dr. West's residence in Colusa, he became very actively connected with the Methodist Church as choir leader, member of the official board, and teacher in the Bible school for many years.

About 1894 Dr. West had the misfortune to be injured in an accident, which within a few months necessitated the amputation of his left leg, just below the hip, and by some mistake in the care he received a poison was introduced into his system which paralyzed the other limb as well as both arms and hands. A man of only ordinary cast of character would have surrendered at least his practice of his profession; but in a wheel chair and carried by his son, he went back and forth to his office on week days and to church on Sunday, where he always led the choir, and taught the Bible class, and was easily the leading spirit in the church as well as in all public matters and community affairs. Along with his professional studies, Dr. West had mastered music in a rare degree. He was also a student of the Greek New Testament, and had some knowledge of Hebrew and was an able critic and expositor of the Scriptures.

Early in 1904, the family located in Tracy, where he became very active in a mercantile line and in the affairs of the community. He was also the founder of the confectionery and ice cream parlor on Central Avenue, which is now conducted by his son, Warwick W. West, whose sketch appears in this work. In 1910, when the town of Tracy was incorporated, Dr. West was among the most active; he served as secretary of the Board of Trade for many years, upholding every movement of any merit for the continued good of the community; he served as clerk of the original high school board and was one of the energetic members of the board which organized the West Side Union high school. Always a strong advocate of irrigation, he worked and sacrificed much in the interest of the first district started, though the successful completion of the system did not come for many years, yet he lived to enjoy some of the results of his labor and sacrifice. He was a member of the board of trustees of the Tracy Methodist Church.

The marriage of Dr. West occurred in the East and united him with Miss Anna Augusta Hasker, a native of Virginia, and five sons and two daughters were born to them. Sidney V., M.D., of Cenco, Cal., was in the late war; Raleigh C., D.D.S., of Oakland, Cal.; Marian M., now Mrs. R.G. Hyatt, an accomplished musician of Los Angeles, Cal.; Warwick W., merchant at Tracy, Cal., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Paul Ambrose, in business in Los Angeles. The two oldest children are deceased. Merriam died in Virginia in infancy and Paul died when twelve years old at Colusa. Mrs. West passed away in Tracy in 1910, while Dr. West passed away on January 24, 1920. Fraternally he was an honored member of the Colusa Lodge of Masons and Odd Fellows, and politically a stanch Democrat. Dr. West lived to see the going of "John Barleycorn" to the fight against which he had given heroic service, and to see the end of the World War and the return of his two sons, Capt. Sidney V., and Paul A., who served overseas, with the 182nd and returned with the 91st Division; he fought in the Argonne and in Flanders, and was badly gassed several times.

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Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/05/2010

WARWICK W. WEST

On Central Avenue, in the heart of the prosperous city of Tracy, is found Joseph S. West & Son's handsomely appointed confectionery and ice cream parlor, one of the most popular places of the West Side country. The business is now owned and conducted by Warwick W. West, who was, for many years, associated with his father, the late Joseph S. West, a pioneer merchant, a man whose name is endeared to the people of the Tracy country because of his many charities, and kindly, noble acts.

Warwick W. West was born in Colusa, Cal., on March 21, 1884, a son of Dr. Joseph S. and Anna Augusta (Hasker) West, both now deceased. Warwick was reared and schooled in his native city and was graduated from the Colusa high school in 1905, when he removed to Tracy, whither his parents had preceded him the year before. He obtained employment with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company which occupied him for a short time; then entered the employ of the Mt. Diablo Light & Power Company, and still later the Pacific Gas & Electric Company at their power house at Colgate and De Sabla, these positions covering a period of six and a half years. He then returned to Tracy and became a partner in his father's business and has taken the active and sole management of same since 1914.

The marriage of Mr. West united him with Miss Ruth A. Moore, a daughter of Mrs. Virginia Moore of Tracy, who came to California in 1918 from Kansas City, Mo. They are the parents of one son, Walker W. Mr. West is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Tracy and was recently initiated into the Tracy Lodge of Odd Fellows. He is one of the most energetic young business men of Tracy and is a loyal worker for its steadily growing interests.

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Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/05/2010

G. WEYAND

A very industrious, progressive and successful vineyardist, who well deserves his prosperity, is G. Weyand, who lives south of Youngstown. He was born in Hesse-Nassau, November 20, 1874, the son of William and Caroline (Kessler) Weyand, the former a shoemaker, who lived to be eighty-six years of age, while Mrs. Weyand passed away in her fifty-second year. The worthy couple had ten children: Emma was the oldest, then came August, Henry, Sophie, Lena, Henrietta, Caroline, and the subject of our review; and after him were Ferdinand and William.

The lad attended the grammar schools of Germany, and after that he set out to make his own way in the world. He worked in the iron mines. In 1891 he came to the United States and settled at Hillsboro, Kans., and there he worked on a farm; later he clerked in a general merchandise store for a few years, and then went into business for himself in Hillsboro. After ten years of steady success there, he came out to California and settled at Lerdo, in Kern County. He rented 107 acres from the Lerdo Land Company, and the second year there he bought forty acres, renting 300 besides; but failing to get water he let his Lerdo ranch go and came to Lodi.

He first rented a twenty-acre vineyard on Kettleman Lane, but the second year he bought a part of the Fuqua ranch, northeast of Lodi, making the purchase of Mr. Lorenz. He is at present the owner of 110 acres, in two pieces, namely: fifty acres of the Fuqua ranch and sixty acres of the ranch which he purchased from Mr. F.R. Hamsher, in March, 1921, he having sold off seven and one-half acres from the fifty-seven and one-half-acre ranch to his father-in-law, Mr. B.J. Unruh, who now resides upon it. He also sold off twenty acres from the land bought from Mr. Hamsher. Mr. Weyand is at present engaged in improving and planting his sixty acres upon which he and his family are happily domiciled.

At Hillsboro, Kans., on October 14, 1900, Mr. Weyand was married to Miss Julia Unruh, a native of Hillsboro and the daughter of B.J. and Eva (Johnson) Unruh. Her father came to Kansas a young man, as one of the first settlers in that part of the country, and homesteaded a ranch. He is now seventy-six years old, and his good wife just three years younger; and they are both still living. They had eleven children: Sarah, the eldest, is in Kansas; Minnie, Peter and David died in Russia; Eva is also in Kansas; Julia is the devoted wife of our subject; Benjamin is in Kern County, California; August in Kansas; Bena in Kern County; Samuel is at Chinook, Mont.; while Jonathan is deceased, having passed away in Colorado. Mrs. Weyand's parents came from Warsaw, Russia, to Kansas, after they had been married in Russia, and Mr. Unruh had put in hard work as a grain farmer. Mrs. Weyand attended the Hillsboro schools, as Mr. Weyand had also attended the schools in Kansas. Eventually, Mr. and Mrs. Unruh came out to California, in 1920, and settled on a part of Mr. Weyand's fifty-seven and one-half acres. Six children have been born to our subject and his worthy wife: Edna, their eldest, died in February, 1920; the others are Wallace, Clarence, Rosaline, Howard, and Grace.

Mr. Weyand took out his citizenship papers in Marion County, Kansas, and later, in Kern County, he served on the local school board.

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Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/05/2010

WILLIAM EARL WHEELER

Coming to Stockton with a wide experience in construction work, William Earl Wheeler has established a name for himself for his ability in this line and is now foreman for Daniels & Green, well-known building contractors of Stockton. Mr. Wheeler was born at Toledo, Ore., February 3, 1883, but has been a resident of California since his eleventh year, coming with his parents to Oakland, where he completed his education. He began work as a carpenter with the Southern Pacific Railroad and later held a clerical position with the Contra Costa Water Company. He then became associated with the Dinwiddie Construction Company of San Francisco and worked in the erection of school buildings at Oakland as foreman of construction, for a period of six years. In 1917 he became foreman of construction on the cantonment buildings at Fort Scott and Fort McDonald, and participated in the erection of 180 buildings at North Vallejo for the U.S. Government Housing Corporation, and the laying of streets there; also in the extension of the Sperry Flour Mills at South Vallejo.

Mr. Wheeler next entered the employ of the Foundation Company of San Francisco and was foreman of construction on three large cement buildings, the largest, 100 by 260 feet, being for the Standard Oil Company at Point Richmond. He has especial reason for pride in the construction of the latter as he received a fine letter from the Standard Oil Company complimenting him on the excellence of his work. In 1921 Mr. Wheeler came to Stockton to superintend the construction of the beautiful new Masonic Temple, erected by McDonald and Kahn of San Francisco, the finest building completed in Stockton for several years. Recognizing his experience and ability in heavy construction work, Daniels and Green of Stockton secured his services as foreman on the new Presbyterian Church recently completed on North El Dorado Street, a splendid piece of work which Mr. Wheeler handled to the satisfaction of all concerned.

Mr. Wheeler's marriage, which occurred in 1905, united him with Miss Viola D. McCoon, a native of Jervis, Ore., and they have become the parents of three children: Elizabeth, Donald and Robert. The family are making their home at 1125 North Ophir Street, Stockton. In fraternal life, Mr. Wheeler is a member of Fruitvale Camp No. 483, Woodmen of the World.

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Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/05/2010

CORWIN DOUGLASS WHITE

A highly esteemed resident of San Joaquin County, whose life-story is as instructive as it is absorbingly interesting, is Corwin Douglass White, who was born near Alma, Gratiot County, Mich., on October 25, 1858, the son of Amos and Sarah Elizabeth (Rosetter) White, natives respectively of New York and Pennsylvania. They had nine children, but only two are living today—Charles, who is in Nebraska, and Corwin Douglass.

Corwin Douglass White was educated in the public schools of Michigan, and when seventeen years of age went to work for himself, and learned the carpenter's trade. In 1884 he came out to California, and settled in Stockton. He was engaged as a stationary engineer for the Williams & Moore soap factory for four years, and then he embarked in various kinds of work for several years; trying his hand in the bakery trade, and traveling for two years for the Stockton Paint Company. After that he came to Lodi and resumed carpentering, working first as a journeyman and then engaging in building as a contractor and investor. He bought lots, and built and sold no less than twelve different homes, among the most attractive in Lodi. Then he purchased eighty acres of land two and one-half miles east of Clements, a grain ranch, formerly the Isaac Miller place, where he conducts a small dairy.

At San Francisco, on March 26, 1902, Mr. White was married to Miss Effie Posey, a native of Hillsboro, Texas, and the daughter of G. Jack Posey, who had married Miss Isabelle Staton. Her father was born in San Joaquin County, his parents having crossed the plains from Ohio in pioneer days. They were farmers near Thornton, where the father was reared and educated. There he married Miss Staton, who was born on Staton Island, this county. Her parents were pioneers of California and the first settlers on Staton Island. Isabelle Staton was a teacher up till the time of her marriage to Mr. Posey. They then removed to Hillsboro, Texas, where their three children were born. The wife and mother passed away in 1884, and the baby boy, Jack, died a month later. Mr. Posey then brought his two remaining children, Clara and Effie, back with him to Lodi, where he followed farming until his death. Clara is now Mrs. S.A. Gillingham, and Effie is Mrs. White, of whom we write. When Effie Posey was three years old her father returned to California. He retired and made his home in Stockton, and there she was sent to grammar school, afterward attending the high school. Mr. Posey's health failed, and the family moved to San Andreas, in Calaveras County. Here she finished her high school course, and then fitted herself for teaching, completing her course at the Summer Normal School held at the University of California in Berkeley. The last fifteen years she has been teaching for the most part in San Joaquin County, although she taught a year at Calveritas and two years at Burson, in Calaveras County. She taught at Live Oak, Mt. Carmel, and Alpine, and was principal of Athearn school at Clements; she is now principal of the Lockeford school, where she is giving entire satisfaction. To her experience is added real enthusiasm for her work, in which she is most conscientious and painstaking. She is a member of the County Teachers' Association, and the California Teachers' Association.

Three children have been granted Mr. and Mrs. White: Emily Evelyn, now in Lodi high school, George Henry, and Howard Corwin. Mrs. White is an active member of the Lodi Women's Improvement Club. Mr. White is a member and past master of Lodi Lodge No. 256, F. & A.M.; a member and past grand of Charity Lodge No. 6, I.O.O.F., of Stockton; a member and past chief patriarch of Parker Encampment; and a member of Ridgely Canton, Stockton. Mrs. White is a member of Lodi Chapter, Eastern Star, and also a member of the Rebekah Lodge at Lodi, of which she is a past noble grand. Both husband and wife are Republicans; and both are members of the Christian Science Church in Lodi, in which they have served as readers.

Ref: Page 1151-1152

Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/06/2010

JOHN COX WHITE

Among the notable California forty-niners resident in San Joaquin County who have joined the silent majority of that adventurous host and found homes in yet fairer golden lands than those to which they struggled amid countless hardships in 1849 is the late John Cox White. Mr. White was a real pioneer in San Joaquin County, sojourning there from the first year of his advent in the Golden State until his death. On May 19, 1891, the county and that section of the state was called upon to mourn the taking off of a true and worthy man, one who had been true to his own ideals and convictions and who by his large life work conferred benefit upon hundreds of his fellow-citizens who of necessity shared in what he accomplished toward the material progress and upbuilding of his community. He was born in Ohio, September 2, 1822, being a son of John C. White, who came to Ohio from New Jersey. Reared in his native state until about 1846, being then a young man of twenty-four years, he moved with his parents to Illinois, locating near Knoxsville. He was living there when the gold fever struck the country, and in 1849 he crossed the plains to this state, being five months on the way from Illinois. In the same year he took up his location in San Joaquin County, and for a short time engaged in freighting from Stockton to the mines. He was then in the cattle business with a partner, William Dunlap, under the name of White & Dunlap, until the death of the latter in August, 1854, after which, on his own account, he combined the industries of agriculture and cattle-raising until his death. In the course of a few years he became one of the extensive cattle ranchers of this section of the state, operating a large tract of land, his home ranch, of 1,400 acres, on the Davis Road, about nine miles from Stockton, and also owned other large land properties in San Joaquin County, among them being 1,400 acres farming land on the Telegraph Road, adjoining the Kellerman ranch; he also owned 2,000 acres near where the town of Manteca now stands, now known as the Pillsbury tract. The Pillsbury tract he sold for eighteen dollars per acre and it is now worth $175 and more per acre. He also owned a ranch of 510 acres on the Linden Road which was subdivided in 1904 and sold for $125 per acre, now worth $500 per acre. The old White residence built of brick fifty years ago still stands at the corner of Commerce and Poplar streets, Stockton. Mr. White was a very successful business man, noted for his able management of affairs, and had a reputation wherever known as a strictly reliable man. He was one of the organizers and for many years a director in the San Joaquin Valley Bank at Stockton, and took great interest in the welfare of this institution. Though often solicited to hold local offices, he always refused, for he devoted himself exclusively to the direction of his large business, and therein discharged his most important obligations to himself and the world in general. But he could always be found lending his influence for the best welfare and progress of his county. In politics he was a Democrat. From the year 1867 until his death he was a resident of the city of Stockton, directing his affairs from that place. Previous to that he had lived many years on his estate on the Davis Road nine miles from Stockton. He was one of the original members of the San Joaquin Society of California Pioneers.

Mr. White was married, October 2, 1853, to Miss America Elizabeth Smith, who survived him sixteen years, passing away in 1907, an honored pioneer woman. She was born in Platte County, Mo., May 19, 1838, being a daughter of John Payton Smith, born in Tennessee, and Elizabeth C. (Crittenden) Smith, born in South Carolina. At the age of three years Mrs. White was left an orphan, and she was thenceforth reared in the family of her brother, James C. Smith, also a late resident of San Joaquin County. In 1852, with this brother and his family, she came across the plains direct to San Joaquin County, where in the following year she was married to Mr. White. Of this marriage were born ten children, five on the home ranch in the county and five in the Stockton home: J. Frank, deceased; Jennie W., Mrs. W.R. Fisher, deceased; Charles B., deceased; Lewis B., deceased; Arthur C., residing in Los Angeles; Lizette W., Mrs. J.D. Maxey, residing in Stockton; Morgan M., deceased; Harry D., residing in Stockton; Anna W., Mrs. Ozro O. Farnsworth, of Stockton; and Kate W., Mrs. Frank A. McPherson, residing in Sonora. Harry D. White, clerk of the justice court of Stockton, was born in Stockton August 7, 1877, and received his education in the Stockton public schools. At eighteen years of age he began to clerk in Samuel's Cigar Store, remaining there for six years; in 1907 he formed a partnership with Benjamin Jacobs under the firm name of White & Jacobs, dealers in cigars and tobacco. In 1914 he sold his interest in the business to accept his present position of clerk in the justice court. He married Miss Della Gambetta, also born in Stockton, daughter of John Gambetta, an early settler of Stockton, who was the founder of the Gambetta addition to Stockton. Mr. White owns a twenty-acre vineyard and an almond orchard, a part of his father's old ranch, four miles from Stockton on the Linden Road, which he planted to vineyard in 1905, and in 1914 every third vine was pulled up and planted to almonds, both of which yield a nice income. Fraternally he is a member of Delta Lodge No. 471, F. & A.M., and the local lodge of Sciots and Stockton Aerie No. 83, F.O. Eagles.

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Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/06/2010

JOSEPH G. WHITE

A successful farmer and dairyman is Joseph G. White, the progressive agriculturist residing about two miles south of Tracy. He was born in the little village of Calietta, on the Isle of Pico in the Azores, on November 5, 1868, under conditions which threw him upon his own resources since his seventh year, on which account he had to shift as best he could with far less schooling than most boys enjoy. In 1884 he left his native land and came out to California, following his brother, Manuel, eight years his senior, and his sister, now Mrs. Perry, who had reached California five years earlier. On reaching San Francisco in the fall, Mr. White made his way to the home of his relatives in Siskiyou County; and in that vicinity, for about three years, he busied himself with work on ranches. In 1887 he went to San Luis Obispo County for a while, but he soon returned. In 1888 he took up 160 acres under the Homestead Act, and proving this up, in 1905 he made a successful exchange for some orchard property in the Cupertino district of Santa Clara Valley, where the family lived for six years, near San Jose, when he was occupied with horticulture.

In the fall of 1911, Mr. White sold out and removed to Tracy, purchasing ninety acres in the Burk Tract, which he set out into alfalfa, building there a sanitary dairy of the best type. About five years later, he again made a change, this time acquiring 160 acres near the southern limits of Tracy, in partnership with his son-in-law, Joseph Teixeira. He received his citizenship at Yreka in 1890, and since then he has been a stanch Republican.

At Scott Valley, in Siskiyou County, in 1890, Mr. White was married to Miss Louisa Silva, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph N. Silva, who were early pioneers in Siskiyou County. Thirteen children were born to this happy union. Mary is the wife of Joseph Teixeira and the mother of three children. Manuel lives at home. Julia is Mrs. Joseph Melo of San Jose, and the mother of one son. Emma died at the age of sixteen. Joseph is single. Louisa is the wife of Joe Vierira, and they have one son and live near Gustine; Wilhelmina comes next; Josephine is the wife of Antone Seemias, and they reside near Hanford; Carlos is the ninth; and the others are George, Emile, Bernice and Edward. Mr. White is a Roman Catholic and the president of the I.D.E.S.; and he has also served as president of the S.E.S. of Tracy.

History of

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

CALIFORNIA

With A

Biographical Review

of

The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been

Identified with Its Growth and Development

from the Early Days to the Present

HISTORY BY

George H. Tinkham

HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

1923