San Joaquin

County History

Thank you to Carolyn Feroben for donating this file.

An Illustrated history of San Joaquin County, California : containing a history of San Joaquin County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its future prospects, with full-page portraits of some of its most eminent men, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also of prominent citizens of to-day.
Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1890, 661 pgs.

pages 190- 202

LODI

In 1869 Messrs. Allen T. Ayers, J. U. Megley and R. L. Wardrobe petitioned the railroad company to establish a station at the place known as Lode, offering them an undivided half of a half mile square of land on which to lay out the site for a town.  This liberal offer was accepted, and the company proceeded to lay out the plat, naming the point Mokelumne station; but when some years afterward this name was found to be too similar to others in the State, the present name of Lodi was selected.

The village, which has now a population of about 1, 200, is pleasantly located on comparatively high ground, about three-fourths of a mile south of the Mokelumne river, eight miles north of the Calaveras, and fourteen miles north of Stockton.  The railroad runs north and south through its center, and its depot grounds comprise three squares.  Although the town plat remains the same, the houses occupy an area of one mile by three-fourths.  The land in the vicinity is sandy and excellent for almost all kinds of crops.  Watermelons have been a great specialty here for many years. The surface of the ground does not become miry in wet weather.  Below the surface is a hard-pan, and beneath this again, only about fifteen feet from the surface, good water is found in abundance.

In August, 1869, I. N. Stretch commenced building a dwelling-house and store, - the latter on the corner of Pine and Sacramento streets.

This store, when completed, occupied by J. M. Burt and C.O. Ivory; they were the first buildings erected in the place.  The second building was a hotel, called the Hooker House, a kind of ark that the flood of fortune had floated about the world until it finally drifted, in its wanderings, to Mokelumne station.  It was first built at Sancho Plano, in Amador County, for a hotel, in the fall of 1861 Charles Hopkins moved it to Campo Seco, in Calaveras County, and named it after General Hooker, who afterward became the hero of Lookout Mountain. 

In the spring of 1869, Dan Crist (commonly known as "Uncle Dan") bought the house from Hopkins, with a view of taking it to Dover, on the San Joaquin, and he moved it to Woodbridge, with this view, intending to ship it from there by water, but found the river too low.  While it was lying there the town of  Mokelumne was laid out, and the destination of the wandering hotel was changed to the new site, where it was erected under the name of Hooker House.  In January, 1870, Uncle Dan had an addition built to it by J. E. Spencer.

In December, 1869, the railroad company commenced erecting the depot buildings.  In the same month J. A. Allison and W. Jacobs established a state line between this place and Mokelumne Hill, which made connections with the lines to Tuolumne and the upper part of Calaveras and Amador counties.  Uncle Dan was appointed postmaster, keeping the post office at the Hooker House.  Thus in 1869 was concentrated the nucleus- at hotel, store, depot, postoffice and stage line- around which the future could rally and build a town.  In the spring of 1870, J. A. Allison built a livery stable, a butcher shop was erected by Thompson & Folger, and B. D. Beckwith finished a drug store.

It was in 1870 that by subscription a general fund was raised for the purpose of building a church.  The building was to be called the Union Church, and be free to all denominations except the Mormons.  After the building was enclosed and three services were held therein on the succeeding Sunday, before midnight it was accidentally burned down. The same committee raised more funds and erected on the same foundation another and a larger building, which was dedicated and turned over to the Methodists, the only organized religious body in the place.

During the month of September, 1870, J. W. Spencer and John Flannagan commenced the erection of the Spencer House; it was completed during the following winter and opened in February as a hotel by Edward Olwell and Mr. J. Barry, who occupied it for one year, and the J. E. Spencer became proprietor of the business.

Through Lodi east and west runs the San Joaquin & Sierra Nevada Railroad, a narrow-gauge track, an account of which is given in Chapter IX.

The Lodi Mill and Warehouse Company, composed mostly of farmers, in 1876 erected a flouring-mill at Lodi, of brick, with four sets of buhrs for wheat and middlings, and one set for barley.  The cost was $30,000. A. W. Gove was the first secretary of the company, and Mr. Bingham the first manager.  The mills were set in operation in the autumn of that year, with a 119-horse-power engine, which is still in use there.  The establishment afterward fell into the hands of George S. Locke, the mortgagee, and he ran it occasionally until the spring of 1882, when Sperry & Co., of  Stockton, rented it and ran the mills at intervals for about eighteen months.  In October, 1883, they abandoned them, and nothing more was done until July, 1884, when they were purchased by Corson, Lasell & Wright, who continued in partnership about two years, and then Corson (C.H.) purchased the interest of his partners.  About a year and a half afterward he admitted into partnership  F. R. Clark, but since October, 1888, Mr. Corson as been sole proprietor.

In the fall of 1884 the roller system was introduced and  combined with the stone work but in July, 1887, the latter was removed. The capacity of  the mill is 200 barrels a day, and is run for local trade nearly half the time.

The warehouse in connection therewith has a storage capacity of 4,000 tons.

The Lodi Land and Lumber Company, in 1877, built on the Mokelumne river, about a mile from Lodi, one of the finest saw-mills on the cost at a cost of $40,000, the mill having a capacity of 40,000 feet per day.

The Lodi Planing Mills were stared in operation about the middle of April, 1889, by Huestis who now runs the mill, manufacturing furniture and building material, both redwood and pine.  When working to its full capacity the mill gives employment to seven or eight hands.

The Lodi Bank was incorporated June7, 1888, and does a general banking business. B. F. Langford, president; Francis Cogswell, vice-president; Guy W. Currier, cashier.

The principal hotel in the place is the Sargent House, where a huge- fireplace, Southern style, is kept well supplied with burning wood, so that one can warm himself there thoroughly and quickly, with no confined foul air to breathe.  In this respect this is the best hotel the writer has found in all his travels in the Golden State.

The Lodi Hall Association erected in 1876 a magnificent two-story brick building, a 30x90 feet, at a cost of $16,000.

The Valley Review was first issued July 20, 1878, being established by Mrs. Gertie de Force Cluff, sister of Mrs. Laura de Force Gordon.  Its size was a seven-column folio, 24x36 inches, weekly.  In 1884 Mrs. Cluff sold to Walcott & Cheney, and they in turn, about a year later, to Bloomer & Moore.  Subsequently the institution was sold by the sheriff.

In 1885 Mrs. Cluff started the Lodi Cyclone, same size, but eight pages with five columns to the page.  A year afterward she sold to Howell & Matteson, who changed the paper to the Lodi News.  In July 7, 1887, the office was accidentally destroyed by fire, with but little insurance.

August 16, 1888, the present Valley Review, a weekly folio, was started by Frank B. Cluff, a very young man who has been a resident here since October 1875.  He was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and was but eight years old when he came with his parents to Lodi.  His father, George F. Cuff, a native of Massachusetts, and his mother, of Pennsylvania, are residents of Lodi.  Young Cuff was only eighteen years of age when he assumed the business management of the Cyclone, and he is now proprietor of the Valley Review.  This, as well as all the papers started here by his relatives, have been, is a prosperous journal.

The Lodi Sentinel was first established July 9, 1881, by W.R. Ellis and J. W. McQuaid, from Napa County.  The former  is now proprietor of the Woodland Daily Mail; the latter sold to his partner in 1885 and is now connected with the Marysville Democrat.  In 1887 F. E. Ellis bought the paper, and in July , 1888, sold a half interest to his brother, H. F., thus forming the present partnership.  The paper, a weekly folio of seven columns to the page, is now printed in the Back block, up stairs.  Republican in politics. F. E. Ellis is editor, and H. F. Ellis is the printer.

F.E. Ellis was born and brought up in Napa County, this State, receiving his education at the high school in Napa City; taught school three or four years in San Joaquin and Calaveras counties, and then came to Lodi.  Here  he is also secretary of the Odd Fellows lodge, and he has passed all the chairs in the order of the Knights of Pythias.

The Lodi Library and Reading Room Association was organized in 1886.  The Sargent Brothers, of Lodi, and James A. Loutti, Esq., of Stockton, were liberal donors to the fund.  The library, now comprising 600 to 700 volumes, is kept in the Sentinel office, where it is conveniently kept open all day every workday by the proprietors of that paper, Mr. F. E. Ellis being secretary and librarian for the association.  W. C. Green is president.  For membership there is a small fee, but there are no assessments.  The selection of books is superior, as it has been made with a definite purpose, and it is not a mere storage room for old, worthless books.

By way of episode we may here relate that April 1, 1889, some members of the association loudly advertised, "with gun, drum , trumpet, blunderbuss and thunder" (Pope) on the streets of Lodi and Woodbridge, attracting immense crowds, that a monster minstrel troupe of  local talent would give a grand performance in the evening at a certain hall.  The sale of tickets amounted to about $100.  The hour for exhibiting arrived, but not the performers, when the citizens called to mind that it was "All Fools; Day," pardoned the roguish chaps for their philanthropic enterprise and went home calling it "square".

A two-story frame school building, 30x40 feet, was erected in 1872, at an expense of $42,169, raised by special tax.  The present school-house, a neat two-story frame of eight rooms in the southeastern part of town, was erected in 1881 or 1882, at a cost of $15,000.  Here the average attendance is about 200, while the number of children of school age in the village is 306.  School in maintained nine months each year.  J. N. Summers is the principal, and there are four assistant teachers.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, the oldest and numerically the strongest religious society in Lodi, has now a membership of seventy-two. The class-leaders are Mrs. C. W. McMaster and Mrs. Wm. Moore.  C. W. McMaster is superintendent of the Sunday-school, which averages about eighty pupils in attendance, including teachers, and  300 volumes in library.  The church building has already been referred to.  It is located in the south west part of the city, and the whole property is now valued at $4,000.  Besides, there is a fine parsonage on the lot adjoining that of the church, valued at $1,000.  The pastors have been:  Revs. John Bryant, 1870-71, when the church was built; Belknap, 1873; E. F. Walker, about 1875; Hazen; White, when the parsonage was built; C.S. Haswell, 1879-'81; Thomas B. Palmer, 1882-'84; W. R. Gober, 1884; Edward E. Dodge, 1885; and since September, 1886, Seneca Jones.  The last mentioned is a genius and independent thinker, as well as a "scholar and a gentleman."  Without having served an apprenticeship at organ building, he can construct one as well as any professional artisan, as is demonstrated in the Lodi church.

The Congregational church building, in the northwestern part of the village, was erected in 1879-'80, at  a cost of $3, 200, including the furnishings.  The ministers have been Revs. W. C. Steward, C. L. Corwin, N. W. Lane, George B. Allen and J. W. Brier, Jr., the present pastor.  The deacons are W. A. Perkins and C. T. Elliott; church clerk, T. B. Geoffroy.

Mr. Brier is a native of Michigan, and was about six years of age when brought to this State by his parents. His father Rev. J. W. Brier, St., is still living, in good health and discharging the duties of a pastorate, at the age of seventy-six years, after having a remarkable career in this State since the early days.  A native of Ohio, he came to  California a Methodist minister and co-laborer of Revs. Isaac Owen ("Father Owen"), M. C. Briggs (who came in 1851) and S. D. Simonds.  He was the leader of the party that discovered Death Valley in 1849.  Entering Antelope Valley near Newhall, he proceeded to Los Angeles and then by land up to San Jose.  Was stationed at Santa Cruz, Napa, Sonoma, Marysville and San Francisco.  In 1859 he became a Congregationalist.  In 1888 he delivered thirty speeches in the State canvass, traveling about 1,300 miles, and own golden opinions from all classes.  He is now pastor of the Congregational church at Palermo, Butte County, this State.

Lodi Lodge, No. 256, F. & A. M. ., was organized in 1879, with twelve charter members, and Ralph Ellis as the first master.  There are now about thirty-three members.  Lodge meets every Thursday before the full moon.  Dr. E. F. Grant is secretary.

Lodi Lodge, No. 259, I.O.O.F., was instituted May 22, 1877, the charter members being John Rutan, P.G.; C. V. Williamson, P. G.; Morgan Crawford, P.G.; Howard M. Craig, Henry Witte, Samuel Ferdun, Reuben Pixley, John Hutchins, Ezekiel Lawrence, A. T. Ayres, W. D. Smith, Thomas Russell, Thomas Fairchilds, G. B. Ralph and C. T. Riggs.  The first officers of the organization were John Rutan, N. G.; Henry Witte, V.G.; Thomas Russell, R. S.; A. T. Ayres, P. S.; E. Lawrence, Treasurer.  The present membership is sixty.  William Ennis is D. D. G. M. of District No. 79, which includes Lodi, Woodbridge, Clements, Lockford and Elliott.

Pythagoras Lodge, No. 41 K. of P., was organized February 17, 1877, with, for its first officers, E. B. Sherman, C. C.; H. C. Gillingham, V. C.; H. M. Craig, Prelate; John Rutan, K. of R. & S.; F. Davis, M. of  F.; M. Bruml, M. of Ex.; G. Kirkland, M. at A. ; E. W. S. Wood, I. G.; W. D. Smith, O. G., and a strong membership.  In the spring of 1883 a division took place, and out of the old society was formed Salem Lodge, No. 105. and the two organizations continued separate until January, 1887, when they were united under the name of Lodi Lodge No. 41, K of P., which now has a membership of eight, and the following officers:  E. B. Wright, P. C.; George E. Carver, C. C., and H. S. Clark, K. of R. & S.   Lodge meets every Saturday night.  This society has paid out large amounts of money for benefits.

Lodi Lodge, No. 189. I. O. G. T., was organized October 19, 1877, with the following persons for its first officers: J. H. White, W. C. t.; Mrs. Mary Hill, W. V. T.; D. Wardrobe, R. S.; Mrs. Aldridge, F. S., Miss J. Parmeter, Treas.; Frank Smith, M.; Mrs. Blanch, D. M.; A. Wardrobe, I. G.; J. Rixon, C.; Rachel Parmeter, P. W. C. T.  This society went down and

Enterprise Lodge, No. 285, I. O. G. T.,  was instituted during the first week of  November,  1887, with about fifteen charter members; there are now seventy in good standing, and the chief officers are J. A. Anderson, C. T.; May Pickings, V.T.; Frank Christie, Rec. Sec., Marion Eliott, Fin. Sec.  Friday evening is the time of meeting.

The W. C. T. U. of Lodi was organized November 29, 288r, with only six members: there are now thirty-five. The officers from the first to the present have been:  Mrs. William Moore, president; Mrs. C. F. Grant, Secretary.  Society meets every two weeks.  At one meeting there will be a bible exercise , at another, hygiene will be the topic, at another heredity etc., there being a regularly elected superintendent for each department.  For the free distribution of temperance literature, they have also to some extent introduced temperance literature in the public schools.

The Loyal Legion, No. 1, a branch of the above, and consisting of persons of both sexes and of all ages, has been in existence for three or four years.  They undergo a sort of military drill.  The membership in this society is about seventy.

Lodi Grange, No. 92, P. of H., was organized August 29, 1873, and erected the "Odd Fellows Hall" building, which they still own.  The Odd Fellows sub-lease a portion of the building to the Knights of Pythias.  The first story is devoted to mercantile business. The Grangers' Co-operative Business Association was a private stock company which ran a general store.  Lodi is also the headquarters of the Pomona, or county grange, whose regular meeting occur four times a year.  S. Ferdun is master of the subordinate grange, and J. D. Huffman is secretary of both granges.


WOODBRIDGE

Where he little town of Woodbridge now stands, grew in 1851, the first crop of barley raised in the township.  In the fall of 1850 the Sargent Brothers, G. W. Emerson and Jacob  Brack came to that place, and the Sargents erected a log house; the first below Staples' ferry, on the Mokelumne river.

August 8, 1852, J. H. Woods arrived at Sargent's place, with his family, and camped under a tree, using the side of an old boat for a table, where they remained until he could erect a cabin, enclosed with stakes, which took several weeks to accomplish.  In the fall of that year a little incident occurred, which exhibits the presence of mind and nerve, which was so universal a characteristic of the California pioneer.   Mrs. Woods had left some fresh meat hanging on the outside of the cabin, which attracted a hungry grizzly, who proceeded to take it down for a repast.  Mrs. Woods, intent upon some household duties, was awakened from some pleasant day dream by hearing a noise at the door, and, upon looking around, beheld a bear sitting on the threshold, taking a survey of the inside workings of domestic economy.  Understanding the position in an instant, Mrs. Woods seized her children and thrust them up on the stringers of the cabin, out of Bruin's reach, and then turned to face the danger, but the shaggy monster had in his turn become alarmed at the strange proceeding, and beat a hasty retreat to the bottoms.

Mr. Woods and A. McQueen bought the Sargent Brothers' claim to the land in the vicinity of, and where Woodbridge now stands, in 1852.  Immediately after his arrival and after finishing his cabin, he proceeded to build a ferry-boat and establish the crossing known as Woods' ferry.

In October of that year, John A. J. Flood, E. H. Comstock and others petitioned the Court of Sessions to create, by order, a public road from Stockton, by way of Woods' ferry, to Davis' bridge, on Dry creek (Fugett's).  Viewers were appointed, C. Mitchell being one of them, but this effort failed.  June 23, 1853, J. Brenn, J. C. Davis and G. Van Riper petitioned for the same public highway.  J. H. Woods was appointed, with J. B. Osborne and J. S. Whitney,  viewers, and the result was an order for the court, dated August 29, establishing the route as a county road.

In the spring of 1853 there was a flood; the waters ran through the country where Woodbridge now stands.  The country was generally submerged, and , on account of it, there was a scarcity of provisions in the mining camps, in the mountains.  Mr. Woods fitted out a pack train that was the first to reach the hungry miners.  He obtained his goods at Stockton, bringing them to Woods' Ferry in row boats.  An idea of the scarcity of provisions in the mines at the time may be arrived at, by the knowledge of the fact that Mrs. Woods sent by her husband some eggs to be marketed, on the first trip through, and they sold for three dollars per dozen. Mr. Woods had at this time twenty four hens, each hen being the proud owner of a name.  The pet has said, "What's in a name?"  In this case there were shekels, each name representing four dollars that were paid to get that hen, - an amount of money that would in 1877 have bought, in California, thirty-two sheep.  It was early in this spring that the only sloop ever reaching that place unloaded a cargo of freight for the mines, at the ferry.

The fall of 1852 was the last time that the water flowed in its channel as a clear, crystal  stream; the miners, in using the mountain brooks for sluicing and digging up the beds of channels, have left the river a turbid flow of mud-charged waters.  It seems that in the fall of 1852, Mr. Woods established a ferry, which is referred to in the county records as Woods' Ferry as early as October of that year, but there is no record by the court to establish such ferry until June 5, 1854, at which time the court, upon the petition of J. H. Woods and Dr. Chase, granted those parties the right to establish a ferry at Woods' Ferry, four miles below Benedict's Ferry, upon their entering into $5,000 bonds to comply with the requirements of the law in such causes. On the 8th of the same month, the bond was filed.

July 4, 1855, a national holiday dance was given at Woodbridge (then Wood's Ferry), that never has been surpassed in the county. Mr. Woods was eminently a representative man of the intensely characteristic pioneers of that period, and whatever he undertook was prosecuted with vigilance and precision that was equaled probably only by one of his contemporaries.  In preparing for this dance he spent a great deal of money.  Flowers were even procured from San Francisco, at a cost of $75, to decorate the table.  The bill of fare was printed upon white satin, and enumerated a variety of dishes that would be a credit to the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.  The services of the band cost $250.  In the grove under the canvas were set two tables, each 240 feet in length. The price of tickets was $10.  To "get their money back," they commenced dancing at four o'clock, forenoon, next day!  Guests came from various points to a distance of seventy-five miles.  The entertainment was in every way a success except that Mr. Woods lost money.

In July and August, 1858, Mr. Woods built a bridge at the old ferry, at a cost of $1,000, and during the very first year afterward took in $9,900 from tolls.  The rates were $1 for a span animals and wagon, and fifty cents extra for every additional team and wagon.

In April, 1859, "Woods' Ferry" was surveyed as a town plat, and to it the name of Woodbridge was given.  The first town lots were sold to E. J. McIntosh and W. H. Smith, October 28 following, for $500; other lots were sold the same day, but before the title to the land was perfected Mr. Woods died, June 4, 1864, from the effects of a stab from William Wilkinson.  The land was not opened to market by the Government until September 18, 1865, but the squatters neglected to perfect their titles for a number of years.

December 27, 1861, the bridge was carried away by a flood to a point half a mile below, where it was towed back and raised bodily upon its old foundation.  It was during this time of  the bridge's absence that steamers passed up the river amid great excitement, as described in Chapter IX.

In 1874 the old toll-bridge was removed and a free one substituted at a cost of $5,000. mostly by private subscription; but of this sum $1,000 was paid to the heirs of  J. H. Woods for the old structure and the charter to keep a toll-bridge.

It was in Woodbridge that the Nevada Asylum for the Insane was established by Drs. Clark and Langdon in 1871; it was moved to Stockton in 1877.  See sketch of Asa Clark on a subsequent page.

The establishment of Lodi in 1860 two miles southeast of course put a stop to the growth of Woodbridge, which has had for a number of years a population of about 300.

The Church of the United Brethren in Christ at Woodbridge was  organized in 1864, during which year services were held by Rev. J. W. Harror and Elder Jackway, in the Franklin and Mokelumne school-houses.  In 1878 the society built a church, costing about $2,700, including bell.  The first officers of the church were:  R. Metcalf, Chairman; J. A. Sollinger, Sec. and Teas.; H. J. Becker, R. W. Williams, H. J. Keen, Thos J. Pope.

The Presbyterian Church here was organized May 1, 1870, but religious services were conducted in Woodbridge by A Presbyterian, Rev. Joshua Phelps, D. D., three years previously.  John and Andrew Rutledge were the first elders.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at Woodbridge was organized many years ago.

St. Ann's Church, Catholic, was established in 1876, by Rev. W. B. O'Connor of Stockton, who had held religious services there in private houses two years previously.  For a house of worship they purchased and repaired a school building at an expense of $1,100.

Woodbridge Lodge, No. 131, F. & A. M., was organized May 10, 1850, the charter members being C. Carpenter, W. H. young, Thos, Henderson, L. F. Neely, D. P. McNeill, C. H. Over, J. H. Woods, R. H. McCracken.  The first officers were: C. Carpenter, W. M.; W. H. Young, S. W.; L. F. Neely, Tyler.

Jefferson Lodge, No. 98. I. O. O. F. , was instituted August 2, 1860, with the following officers and charter members: S. H. Axtell, N. G. ; Freeman Mills, V. G.; E. Young. Sec.; W. H. Smith, Treasurer; H. Bentley, Per. Sec.; H. Hoeber, James Taylor, W. H. Smith and T. B. Hill.  Present membership, forty-four.

Duroc Lodge, No. 50, K. of P., was instituted November 23, 1878, with fourteen charter members, and is still flourishing.

Woodbridge Grange, No. 84, P. of H.,  was organized September 30, 1873.

A lodge of Good Templars was organized here in December, 1877, and had at one time as many as seventy-one members.

A newspaper entitled the Weekly Messenger, was for a time published in Woodbridge, started May 18, 1865, by Shekells & Spencer.

LOCKFORD

A village of Lockeford is built upon the ranch or farm owned by Dr. D. J. Locke, and upon  the bluffs about one mile south of where the section line between ranges seven and eight crosses the Mokelumne river.  It is a very pleasantly located among the live oaks.  The river bottom is about one mile wide at this place, and the banks on the south side rise suddenly form the low land about forty feet, where Lockeford is built, and one seldom looks out on a more attractive landscape than is presented on looking over and down upon the sleepy valley, sprinkled with oak, that cast their dark shadows upon the carpet of green.

Originally there came to this part of the county, in 1850, E. H. Locke, since deceased, and the beauty as well as the utility of the surroundings of this place filled him with enthusiasm for settlement.  He returned to Mississippi Bar, where Mr. Holman, D. J. Locke and his brother were stopping, and the result was that all these parties, as well as some others, packed up and moved to the Mokelumne, with a view of remaining and utilizing the soil for grazing and farm purposes.  The Lockes purchased 360 acres of land for $360, and Captain G. C. Holman and Charles Massack each 160 acres for $360 apiece from D. J. Staples.  The Lockes erected a log cabin, on a knoll in the river bottom, that has since been destroyed.  In those days, when night came their hired men roosted high in the trees like turkeys, for fear of grizzlies.

The first house built in Lockeford was by Dr. Locke, in 1855.  The second was a hotel, built by John A Clapp, in 1860, and called the Lockeford House; this hotel gave the town its name, in 1860.  On the 5th of April , 1862, the little pioneer steamer Pert first tied up to the Lockeford landing, and the event was made the cause of general public demonstration, for the particulars of which seen in Chapter IX.  The first goods for mercantile purposes carried in that village on the 24th of February, 1862, and the private residence of Dr. Locke's father was used  for a store until the fall.

On the 14th of June, 1862, the town was laid out and platted.  S. P. Sabin came to the place in 1860 and built a blacksmith shop, and the same year he built a dwelling-house, which was afterwards converted into a store, and was burned down in 1865, a child of N. Kohman perishing in the flames.  The wagon shop was built in 1860, by W. D. Read.   Mr Bruml erected a brick store in 1865.

The second school building erected in the township was an octagon building, situated midway between Staples' Ferry and Lockeford, and was erected in 1856.  It took the place of the cloth building nearer the ferry.  The octagon was moved to Lockeford in 1864, but the district increased to such an extent that, in 1874, a new and more commodious building was erected, where a graded school has since been taught, that is a credit to the place.

There are at present about 500 inhabitants in the village. The postoffice was established in June, 1861; Luther Locke, postmaster.

Congregational Church.  As early as November 24, 1861, Congregational services were held in Sons of Temperance Hall, Lockeford (this hall is now used by Dr. Locke as a granary), and a Sunday school was organized July 28, 1861, at a residence of W. D. Read.  It was February 12, 1862, before the Congregationalists attempted a church organization.   On that date a preliminary meeting was held, and an organization perfected March 2, of that year.  The church was built in 1869, costing $2, 800, including $300 for a bell, and dedicated September 19, of the same year.  The first officers were:  T. B. Day, trustee for five years; D. J. Locke, for four years; George Hammond, for three years; Thomas B. Jeffrey, for two years, and Isaac Brown, for one year.

The "Church of Christ" was organized in Lockeford in March, 1876, the first religious services being held at Hotel Hall, by Rev. R.  H. Boyles.  The first officers were J. H. Haley, James Moshier and B. F. Morrain..

The San Joaquin Catholic Church was established here in 1876, by Father O'Connor.

The Sons of Temperance in 1860, and the Good Templars in 1869 began to flourish here.  Lockeford Grange, No. 131, was organized in January, 1874.

Progressive Lodge, No. 134, was instituted May 11, 1867, with the following members: Peter Moore, N. G.; Philip Wagner, V. G.; S. P. Sabin, Rec. Sec; P. Cahill, Treas.; J. S. Christian and John McDonald.   The present membership is fifty-eight.

Vesper lodge.  K of P., is in existence at Lockeford.

ELLIOTT

Formerly known as Hawks' Corners, is in the northwest corner of Elliott Township.  A. Methodist Episcopal church (South) was organized there in 1858, and subsequently, the Good Templars, Patrons of Husbandry and Odd Fellows.  The latter, as No. 288, was instituted February 25, 1880, with five charter members, and the following as officers:  H. H. West, N. G.; J. W. Fitzgerald.  V. G.; W. S. Hickey, Sec.; J. Lamb, Treas.  They now number thirty-three in membership.

CLEMENTS

A flourishing little village on the railroad about five miles northeast of Lockeford, with all the initial elements of a good society.  Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 355, here was organized December 4, 4889, with five members: there are now twenty-two.  W. Buchanan, H. G.; J. Harris, B. G.; R. Baird, Sec.; and H. Plummer.  Banner Lodge, K. of P., is flourishing at Clements.  Population of Clements, about 200.

LINDEN

This village of about 400 population is situated on what was known in the early days as the Mokelumne Hill road twelve to thirteen miles from Stockton in a northeasterly direction, and two miles south of the Calaveras river.   Originally this point was known as the Fifteen-Mile House, and then as Foreman's ranch up to August, 1862, when it was laid out by Mr. Foreman and given its present name by J. Wasley.  In the spring of 1849, when water covered nearly all the country around, two brothers named William D. (a doctor) and John Trebilcock, who were freighting to  the mines, noticed the highest point of land in the valley on this route, and, soon afterward locating here, opened a public house, which was at first merely a rough board shanty.  It was named the Fifteen-Mile House, on account of its distance by road at that time from Stockton.  In the summer of 1851 they put up a better building, and afterward made additions.  Subsequently these brothers sold the house to C. C. Rynerson,  who married their cousin, Mary Wasley, and who was afterward sheriff of this county.  The latter sold to Foreman & Beritzhoff, and it was long known as the Foreman ranch.

After Mr. Rynerson, the second settler, came John Haines, Samuel Foreman and A. C. Beritzhoff, the last two being the later proprietors of the tavern just mentioned.

The Moore school-house was the first built in the township, Linden being a part of the district: it was on Charles Hayden's ranch.  In August, 1858, the Jefferson school district was formed, taking in the present village sites, and that year the first school-house was built.  In 1862 the name of Linden was given to the district.  In 1864 the old school-house was burned down, and since then several new ones have been erected.

The flour-mill was first built in 1854, by John Doak, and N. Burroughs, who ran it for about two years.  In 1859 it was sold to C. C. Rynerson and John Wasley, who operated it until 1865, when it was destroyed by fire.  The following year they rebuilt, and again the new mill was burned in 1868.  Then the Linden Flouring Mill Company was organized and still another mill was erected, in 1871, a three-story brick at a cost of $35,000.  Its name from 1854 to 1859 was the "Calaveras Mill," then it was the "State Mills" until 1860, when it was changed to "Linden Mills."  It has been idle for a number of years.

The first store at Linden was started in 1856 by Thomas McCarter, who in April, 1857, was succeeded by Wasley & Rynerson and they in 1860 by E Case and J. S. Smith, and the latter afterward to Prather & Aull, etc.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at Linden, was organized in 1855, with Rev. Ira Taylor as pastor.  The first services had been help by Thomas Barton, in the old Moore school-house.  In 1857 they erected a church edifice, at a cost of $2,000.  Rev. R. F. Beasley is the present pastor.

The Methodist Episcopal Church (North) at Linden have for their pastor Rev. H. L. Gregory,  who also has in his charge a church at Farmington, preaching in each place on alternate Sundays.

There is also a Catholic church at Linden.

Valley Lodge, No. 135, F. & A. M., was organized July 27, 1858, with the following charter members: J. C. Pendergrast, J. C. Reid, J. H. Cook, James H. Garnder, Thomas T. Wasley,  J. S. Haines, W. B. Stamper, J. F. Howard, W. H. Russell, Thomas T. Brook and T. W. Jarred.  Pendergrast was W. M.

Scio Lodge, No. 102, I. O. O. F., was organized June 13, 1861, with the following officers and members:  John Wasley, N. G.; C. W. Leach, V. G.; I . Smith, Sec;  Andrew Showers, Thomas McCarter, C. W. Martin, and C. Oxtoby.

A grange was organized here in 1873, a Good Templar society in 1878, etc.

In 1887 the people, by vote, introduced the grammar-school course, and during the month of June, 1990 three girls and two boys graduated herein.  There are six classes (graded) in the primary and four in the grammar course, which later comprises "high-school" studies.  The principal is J. S. Moulton, while Mrs. Moulton has charge of the intermediate classes and Miss Agnes Fine of the primary.   The school has a good philosophical apparatus, purchased about three years ago, and a good library of 300 volumes, including a cyclopedia.  There are about 130 scholars, averaging over a hundred in daily attendance.

FARMINGTON

In 1858, W. B. Stamper took up the west half of section 16, township 1 north, range 9 east, upon which Farmington now stands.  He sold lots soon after to William and Daniel Sanderson, who put up the hotel and blacksmith shop.  After the hotel was erected, Dr. Stamper named the place Farmington, because it was the center of an extensive and rich farming county.  This was on what was then the Stockton and Sonora road.  The plat surveyed by N. S. Harrold, when the Farmington branch of the Copperopolis Railroad was built through that place. The initial point of Farmington was the "Oregon Tent" where Mr. Harrold  now lives.  Thayer & Wells were the first owners.

About 1859 or '60 L. J. Morrow and Alexander Harne built and stocked a general merchandise store where Farmington now is, and the postoffice was removed there from what was the Marietta House- Thomas J. Brooks' place- three miles above.  Harne is now living six miles from Stockton.

Where Mr. Patterson now lives there was another tavern, and still another where Mr. Benton now resides.

Farmington, a place now probably of about 250 inhabitants, and about seventeen miles east of Stockton, is appropriately named, being in the midst of an excellent farming district, where wheat has been for many years the great specialty.  It now has all the conveniences of a country village, - a good graded school, and a fine building erected in 1888 at a cost of over $6,000, three hotels, two general stores, express and telegraph offices, three blacksmith shops and a harness shop and a livery stable, besides churches and societies.

The Cumberland  Presbyterian church was organized in May, 1872.  Previous to this, services had been held in the Shady Grove school-house. by Rev. C. Yager.  In the fall of 1876 a church was built by the combined subscription of all denominations, at a cost of about $1,500.  The first officers were W. B. Ford, J. M. Groves and Joseph Manchester.  In the pastorate, Rev. Yeager was succeeded by Dr. Crawford and E. C. Lattia.  The present pastor is Rev. Mr. Elder.

The Episcopal Methodists (North) organized a society here in May, 1878, and continued in the Cumberland Presbyterian church. It was in this place they held their first religious services, in October previous, conducted by Rev. A. T. Palmer.  In 1889 they built a church, at a cost of $2,500, and dedicated it November 10, same year.  Rev. H. J. Gregory of Linden is their present pastor.

The Southern Methodists established a class here in 1877, and Rev. R. F. Beasley is their present minister.

The school-house, of two stories, costing over $6,000 was completed in 1889.  The Odd Fellows' Hall building, two stories, was erected in 1881, at a cost of $2,500, and is used also by the K. of P.; and the lower story is used as a dance hall.

In Farmington are three hotels and taverns, three blacksmith shops, one tinware and pump shop, one harness shop, a barber shop and two general stores.

LATHROP

Nine miles south of Stockton, was started by the railroad company :"through spite at Stockton, because this city refused to grant the right of way through its plat."   They built a large hotel, placing it in charge of H. A. Bloss, and laid the land out into blocks and advertised them for sale on a certain day.  The overland trains which had been stopping in Stockton twenty minutes for meals, since then have stopped at Lathrop.  Soon afterward they began the construction of a railroad down the valley from Lathrop,  this being the Southern Pacific; and they also erected a round-house and machine shops in this locality.

The place was probably named after Ariel Lathrop, of San Francisco, one of the directors of the railroad company, and is beautifully situated. It is particularly a railroad town, as it is almost exclusively made up of railroad hands, being the end of divisions, and thus constituting a kind of headquarters for the men, of whom it is said there are about 500 making their home here.  The more permanent population numbers something over 300.  Twelve passenger trains and forty-four freight trains arrive at or pass this point daily.  The switch engine is run busily day and night.  The Visalia division runs to Tulare and Los Angeles, and the twenty-mile branch to Modesto is a part of the old contemplated overland route to New Orleans.  The most prominent Protestant religious denomination here is that of the "Progressive Brethren," known as "Dunkards," originally "Dunkers," this word signifying dippers.  This word refers to baptism, in the administration of which they practice what is called "trine immersion," dipping the subject three times, one time for each name (person) in the triune God-head.  In reference to war, oaths, worldly display, etc., they are like the Quakers.  Five members of this organization found their way into this county in the fall of 1860.  In the fall of 1862 they held their first communion meeting in a grove on the east side of the San Joaquin river, where the Southern Pacific Railroad bridge now crosses it.  At that meeting the first organization in the county of this denomination was perfected, with George Wolfe as elder, Felix Senger for minister, and Jacob Wolfe and Henry Haines as deacons, and fourteen members.  Mr. Wolfe, now deceased, first located on the San Joaquin river, three miles south of Lathrop.

At present the church numbers perhaps about seventy members, and meet in a union house of worship in the central position of Lathrop, a neat frame structure, 30 x 60 feet in size, built eight or nine years ago, at at cost of about $2,000.  H. Holsinger and a Mr. Bear have been elders; the present elder is Mr. Wolfe, son of George Wolfe, the pioneer of the church here.

The Catholic congregation at Lathrop was established in May, 1887, by priests from Stockton.  The same year a good frame house of worship was erected, 50 x 100 feet in dimensions, at a cost of $1,500.  Mass, however, had been held here from time to time previously.  There are about 300 Catholics worshiping in Lathrop, meeting the third Sunday of each month.  Rev. W. B. O'Connor, of Stockton, is the pastor.

There is a prosperous lodge of Knights of Pythias at Lathrop.

For the public school there is a neat, new frame building, in which two teachers are employed.

In Lathrop are three hotels and two restaurants.  The two general stores are kept by Joseph Geraty and Mr. Sanguinetti, and Scarlett & Howland are the principal  grocers.

A stock company has commenced to sink an artesian well in the southwestern part of the village, which already furnishes fifty miners' inches of water and some gas.

At one time D. H. Berdine & Co., of Stockton, published the Lathrop Junction, and in 1888 a Mr. Bradley, also of Stockton, established and ran for a few months the Railroad Journal, which had a considerable amount of advertising and seemed to do well.

TRACY

A busy, ambitious little village, about twelve miles southwest of Lathrop, at the junction of the Martinez and Livermore (or Niles) branches of the railroad, and was stared in 1878 by the removal of Ellis to this point, at the time the junction was made by the building oft he Martinez branch.  The "West Side" railroad, standard gauge, it is said will soon be built by the Southern Pacific Company, from Goshen, on the main line, by way of Los Banos, to Tracy.  When this is completed, an eating house will be established at this point, and possibly many trains will be made up here that are now made up at Lathrop.  The branch to Los Banos is about sixty miles in length, and twenty-two miles of this is already built.

In Tracy there are now three large hotels.  The Tracy Hotel is conducted by Edward Wachsmuth, who has been in the hotel business since 1871.  The San Joaquin House is managed by C. Ludwig, and he has had that since 1872. The Castle House was built during the summer of 1889, by Thomas Castle.

The greatest fire that ever occurred in Tracy was in 1879, which destroyed two stores and Castle's old hotel building, which he had removed from Ellis.

One of the principal business enterprises of Tracy is John Hay's manufactory of harvesters, which he has been running ever since the village was established. Faebian & Levinsky have a store and warehouse, who are the largest shippers ,  the principal exports being grain and live-stock.

The Catholics of Tracy, served by priests from Stockton the last Sunday of each month, erected a frame church building in 1887, at an expenditure of about $1,800.

The Presbyterian church at Tracy, was organized probably in 1886, with only three or four members; there are now about fifteen.  In the fall of that year they built a house of worship at an expense of over $2,000.  The elders are J. M . Kerlinger and J. G. Dean.  A Sunday-school is maintained.  The congregation is served by Rev. J. N. Hubbard, the installed pastor, who has been a resident here for fourteen years.

The Methodists held meetings at this point long before the town was started.  Rev. August Lemkau, who preached both in English and German, organized the first class here.  There are now about twenty members, consisting of both English-speaking and German Methodists, who united in 1887, and are now led by Judge W. B. Hay.  The meet in the Presbyterian church, and Rev G. J. Jaoser, of Stockton, is their present pastor.

A Lutheran minister from San Francisco, named Koenig, preaches in Tracy once a month.

Summer Lodge, No. 177, I.O.O.F., was first instituted in Ellis in 1871, with about sixty-eight or sixty-nine members.  Since then the number has been even greater, but there are about sixty-eight now, and the lodge is in good financial condition.  First officers:  H. L. Atherton, N. G.; Maring Lammers, V.G.; Edward Wachsmuth, Sec. The first hall in which they met was burned down, and a neat wood building was substituted, which they moved to Tracy and enlarged.  The present officers are:  Peter Smith, N. G.; George Luhrsen, V.G., and William Schultz, Sec.  The lodge meets every Saturday night.

West Side Loge, No. 118, K. of P., was instituted March 10, 1885, with about twenty-eight members.  The first officers were:  Martin Loomis, P. C. C.; C. Ludwig, C.; J. S. Moulton, V. Co.; William Schultz, Pre.; William Pruser, Treas.  The present are William Ahlen, C. C.; Charles Canale, V C.; William Schult, Pre.; William Pruser, Treas.; D. A. Buschke, Sec.  There are now forty-four members, who meet Tuesday evenings in Odd Fellows' Hall..

Transcribed by Carolyn Feroben