davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning call., 1890-09-08
HENRY L. DODGE.

Heniy l.. Dodge. who became the twenty.fourth
PRESIDENT OF the organization in 1879, was born
at Montpelier VT, early in 1925. His father
was successful farmer in the Green Mountains,
and as lie could well afford 1t young Henry re-
eeived every educational advantage obiainable.
He graduated from the University OF Vermont at
burlington In 1916 and Immediately began the
Study CT law, but was caush IN the whrlwind OF
excitement that followed the discovery at SUIT
tei's MIL, and on February IS, 1S49 started
Ior California by way of Vera Cruz He reached
san francisco on June LIST, pushed on to
The mines OF uolumne County, and In a fort
night, satisfied that lie had had enough of ad-
venture, returned 10 the coast. For about seven
years thereafter he engaged in the practice Of
law, but In 1856 lie abandoned that for mercan-
llIe PURSUITS Entering the neld of politics later
Oh, ne was elected Supervisor OF the sixth Ward
III 1861 ON the Peoples ticket. Two years later
ne Went TO the Assembly OH the Republican
ticket, and In 1864 lie became Stale Senator.
Alter his term OF office he devoted himself tor his
business interests and was not heard of prOni-
ncntiy IN the political world until 1878, when lie
TOOK part IN investigating the condition of affairs
III tue San Francisco Mint. After Tn, report OF
tine commission and La Oranges retirement he
was appointed Superintendent and held office FOR
tour years. He Is now senior pau of tie welt
known INN Of Dodge, Sweeney & Co, ard is
largely interested III lie financial Institutions Of
the city ana In real property.
The morning call., 1890-09-08
WASHINGTON BARTLETT.

In 1882 Washington Bartlett took bis seat as
the twenfy-six;h President of the Pioneers. He
was born In Saw annah, Ga, February 20. 1924
and at an early age acquired taste for journal
ism from his father who was engaged lin that
calling. For time, however. he had Gaming
toward the law, but this he abandoned in 1S46
to assume the management of a paper in Taa
hassee, Fla. When tie news Of the gold dscoy-
cries reached him and lie determined to follow
the tide OF emigration he was shrewd enough TO
ship to his estimation complete outfit for a
printing office. With forty other adventurous
spirits he sailed from Charleston, s. c., on
January 81, 1S49, but owing to adverse
until the 18th of November following that the
voyagers cast anchor within the Golden Gate.
In establishing his enterprise and early in Janu.
AIRY the journal OF Commerce was introduced to
the notice of San FranciscaDs. -Four mont his
later the office was destroyed by fire, but the
type and material were saved and a flesh start
made. In June. however, he suffered the loss of
despite disaster. he continued In the business I'M
III 1851, When lie closed out his journal and
joined g. X. Buckelew IN publishing The Public
Balance. Ills venture was not successful, and
In few months lie established The San Francisco
Evening Journal, which lie conducted lwOyears.
In 1853 he Joined bis Two brothers 10 found
ing the Evening News, which existed till S56 In
that year he started the True Californian. and
on the death of that paper, twelvemOnth later,
be ceased to be interested in newspaper enter
prise. Turning 10 politics IN 1853, he secured a
deputy cieikship In Tie Twelfth District Court.
Ia 1859 lie was pdt on Inc EEHplefS ticket for
County Clerk, was elected. and seid the office for
thfee full terms. Meanwhile q 8 gaze bis atten-
lion 20 law s4a at the close OF Bis last term he
ssr ta eIar,ics. During Governor 8aighps
si,lssieasi iAtisn be Acj9 etaca IS lacb0g Com
sS,st.af4 n,s.ar Is . years ~ 13gS IS weff 10 The
nsefli; cilis He ls,,SsrnneGiai 10 passing many
10 1852, ard after came Mayes o. SKA trancisco
ssigz 81. lie Fslgc fstuIs Ms elected cover
ooniocratc tckesS oIcrIly after his
Inauguration lie became seriously Is, Gut he
fingered on TILL September, when his death they
tie Stale Government into the hands of Tie pres
ent administration and the Republican rafty.
The morning call., 1890-09-08
THOMAS o. LARKIN.

Thomas o. LarkiD, the fifth President to d.
rect The affairs OF the Pioneers, was born in the
little town OF Charlestown, Mass, ON September
16, 1902. At the age OF 10 he exhibited a love
OF adventure that led him 10 seek his fortune in
Wilmington, N. G., where lie followed mercan
Tile pursuits for several years. These lie re-
iinquised 10 engage In the lumber trade. In
which lie was unfortunate enough to lose his
money and his health. In 1880 he returned To
his old home shattered in health and ruined in
purse. Then he beihought himself of mis- half
brother, who long before had gone 10 California
and hearing through his uncle ian old sea can,
tain who mad often traded on this Coast OF lie
splendid climate OF this country, he res oived 10
travel there IN search OF his brother and for lie
improvement OF his health. II was not until the
fan of 1881 that the opportunity offered for n
passage TO the Pacific He sailed from Boston
on the ship Newcastle, which touched at Hone.
lulu In February. 1882, and two months later
cast anchor In lie bay OF San Francisco After
a few weeks stay The ship put TO sed again. and
la May entered The harb0r OF Monterey, where
The morning call., 1890-09-08

Norman Guleh, Angels Camp and Coyote Fiat.
where nc babe adieu 10 the digeings and footed
IL PACK TO civilization. After his return 10 San
francisco lie became identified with pioneer
louinalisin by assuming management of the
WING, which was afterwaId merged into the
commercial Advei tiser. Subsequently, he Joined
tne Naive American movement, In whose
IN interest he established the Citizen. which
nc CONQUERED Tor year. Commercial
pursuits next claimed share Of his attention
al; ana third time deyoting himself to journalism,
ne became attached to tie Alta California, with
. Wnlch he was connected as editor for some
,hitly months. For bis services in behalf OF the
S SMion ne was rewarded with the post OF Naval
uncsr at This port In 1861. Five years LATER he
iScuiSeG rowing commission as Resident Agent
Oh The Treasury abroad, which he held for five
MARS WIN his headquarters at Frankfort on. the
NAH! NAH; he returned to California In 1881, en-.
s saget, IN mining and water enterprises, and
SICILY aIterward drfted Into politics and did
seivic y Ior his party in the County Committee
a assa state Central Committee from 1882 to
noo4. ~ Inc latter year he was elected Super.
VISOR ana gained considerable note By his inves-
aIaation OF CHINATOWN and his advocacy of the
9 or abolishing wooden sidewalks. Mr..
rafWeli IS slill an active member OF the com
nuti,y, ana gives his personal attention to his
vast business interests,
The morning call., 1890-09-08
PETER DONAHUE.

Peter Donahue. the nineteenth President of the
society. was undoubtedly one OF the most re-
MAJ kable men Of bis day. Born of humble Irish
parentage i'll the town of Glasgow Scotland, he
with his mother, emigrated 10 America III 1885,
being then just Is years of age. They settled
at MattewaD, n. y, where, Without any educa-
tlonal advantages being afforded him, the young
Dog began his struggles with the world. For
TWO years he worked In O local cotton factory,
after which he moved to Patterson. n. j., was
appienticed 10 the nilwright and engineering
business In one OF the great locomotive shops,
ana while there, by his perseverance and indus
try, laid the foundation for the success of his
alter lie On arriving at mans estate, and for
some years later, he worked at his trade in sew.
eral OF lie leading establishments en- the Hudson
River. In his twenty-ffth year he became an
assistant engineer on the Peruvian man. of war
Kmac, the first OF that country's fleet, and the
hrst American steamer TO pass through the Straits
tract young Donahue came to California on lie
steamship Oregon and arrived in San
d francesca in June, 1s49. He imme.
and hed the role of miner for some months. but
The HE not sutinc him, he returned 10 the Coast
About this time lie met bis brothers, james and
Michael who had come overland from Mexico at
The conclusion OF the war. and with them estab-
llshed bla cksmiih shop and machine works on
Montgomery street, above Jockson. oct OF which
grew lie immense foundry and boiler establish.
ment subsequently located Oh Mission street. the
Union lion Works OF the present day. They
made The frst castings on the Coast, and the
admission Of California into the Union. In 1852
The brothers obtained franchise for The lighting
OF the city with gas. aud IN TWO years the San
Francisco Gaslisht Company was Ill full opera
ton. About the same time Peter, on his own
account, started The opposition line OF steamers
on the Sacramento River, and also put line Of
steamships on the Southern Coast. Ia 1861 he
introduced slreetfailWays into San francisco,
and Tor over twenty years thereafter was Presi-
dent OF the Omnibus Railway Company. In 1862
he in association with James Donahue, Ii. NJ.
Ntwhall and Charles Main, built and operated
the rail- DAD from San Francisco TO GilrOy. Some
years aftef this property was sold TO the Central
Pacific Railroad Cumpany, and the proceeds were
invested by him In opening up Sonoma Valley
Win bioaa-gauge track HIS subsequent en-
which, with its numerous branches and splendid
equipment, grew under his management to be an
Important factor in The commercial affairs OF lie
Coast. In all OF his operations lie was an eAclu-
sive patron OF white labor, and in no instance
did be ever ask or secure a dollar of subsidy. He
died November 26, 1885, aud lett Ihe bulk OF his
property TO his son Meiyyn.
The morning call., 1890-09-08
PnILIe a. ROACH.

The seventh President of the society was Philip
A. Roach, whose career In journalism ana
politics made his name known throughout tie
length, and breadth OF the es,stTiTy. He was
native OF Cork City, ireland, where he was born
on November /, 1920. He received good edu-
cation IN his youth. In 1S4S he left home and
cam to California. where lie arrived eaily In tile
follcw.re year. On landing in this city he pro
ceeded immediate AiohsIs}, where, rev
mopIhs later, he was ese, AlCslde aud suhse-
quenJY lie Ggst Mayor. lu S5i he was sent 10
tie state Legislature where lie introduced BILL
10 pTc6i5!l Chinese iab0fers coiHius inte tie
country In 1861 tic old Democratic Press,
having been destroyed by 2 mob on receipt OF
The EGYa vi Lincoiu's assassination, le. wiih
6ecrge Peu johnson and William 5. Moss, re-
established it under tie name OF tie Evening
Examiner ia DseaHe prineipal sStseI ,di writer
and johnson The managing editor, In 1883 MI
Roach was elected Public Administrator, and az
Tho end OF his term withdrew 70 private life aud
the management OF tbe Blythe es,ate. He dled
or vertigo on April rs. 1889.
The morning call., 1890-09-08

1884 he migrated TO Indiana, where he studied
Jaw, ana was admitted to the bar. In 1887 he
tiaVeled INTO what was then the Territory OF
Wisconsin, and took up his residence on the
Test 5ahk oil the Mississippi, where Muscatine,
IOWA, now stands. Here he began to practice
MS procession. On tile 9Th of June following his
aiiltal Iowa was created a Territory, and MIR,
Hastings was sent TO represent his district in the
Legislature. where he remained till Iowa became
a Stale, in 1916. During that time he took
Inc command of the "Muscaline Dragons"
ana eifected the capture OF the Mis-
sourian officials who attempted to collect
lakes within the boundaries OF the new
Territory This event afterward became
KIN own IN history as the "Missouri War" Asa
result OF this bloodess campaign he was ap-
pointed Major on the Governors staff. Subse-
quently he was sent to Congress to represent the
new State, and took his seat on December 2S,
1916. LII January. 1S4S, lie was appointed Chief
Justice OF tie Supreme Court Of Iowa, which
once he resigned year later to come to Cali
iornia. On arriving here in the spring Of 1S49
lie settled in Benica, and was shortly elected
Chef Justice OF the Supreme Court by the Legis-
latuIe. In 1851 lie was elected Attorney Gen.
era by the people, and held his office till the end
oi the term, when lie abandoned office for good.
Keen business man and shrewd iinancier he
soon acquired wealth which by judicious land
investments quickly made him millionaire. or
iate years he mas parceed of much Of his wealth
10 his children. but lie still enjoys life OF eie-
giant ease on his Napa Valley estate Tie Hast
inss College OF Law In this city was founded by
The morning call., 1890-09-08
LOUIS sLoss.

Louis Sloss was the socety's twenty eighth
president He was born in Bavaria, Germany,
on July 10, 1882. and when 10 years old came
10 America, his objective point being Louisville,
Ky. For a while he was engaged III business in
q general store in Maxyie, but with the news
OF the gold discoveries he resolved 10 set out for
California and arrived here in 1949 In 1851
lie went TO Sacramento and opened ali extensive
grocery business, Which he continued Tor Ten
years. III 1861 he returned TO San Francisco,
ana from that time 10 1870 was a stock broker,
with seat III the big board. Since Then he has
been engaged in The hue, fur and general CON-
mission business. He is senior member OF the
firm OF Louis Sloss Co.. President Of the Alaska
Commercial Company President Of the Anglo.
Nevada Assurance Corporations, Treasurer OF the
University of California, Treasurer of the Re-
publican State Central Committee, and Trustee
OF the Free Library. He married IN Philadelphia,
Pa, July 10, 1855, and has family OF four sons
d IlIrlI or
The morning call., 1890-09-08
GUSTAV REFS.

Gustav Refs occupied-Ihe Presidential chair
during the year 1869. He was born at Mas
sau, Germany, In 1880, and in his youth came TO
America lie first settled in Texas, and from
there emigrated 10 California with his brothers.
Ferdinand aud Christian. The little party
rode on muleback and reached the Coast
in 1S49. Gustav tried mining for short
time after his arrival, but realizing that
mole money was to be made In hauling supplies
TO the camps, he abandoned gold digging and
started into business as a carrier, with string
of pack mules. He continued IT this for several
years and acquired considerable means, which
he subsequently invested In tile Sierra Buttes
gold mine near Downieville of which he became
the superintendent. This position lie resigned i'll
and for time he left the State to prospect the
country around Mazatlan. On returning to San
Francisco he married and settled down 70 tne
endowment of handsome income derived from
his mining aud real estate investments. ne die"
on August 6, 1888, leaving his sou, Johh VI
Refs, heir 10 Il considerable fortune.
The morning call., 1890-09-08
A. W. Won SCHMIDT.

In 1871 A. w. Won Schmidt. the wellknown
civil engineer, became the eighteenth President
OF The society. He is native OF Riga. on the Bal
tic, and came 10 the United States when years
old. The latter part OF 1913 found him at New
Orleans, whence lie started for California. He
reached San Francisco in May, 1919, and began
10 practice his profession from the very first
lie IS man OF cOurily bearing and, like one
VINO mas always looked upon the bright side OF
lie, is iull OF humor ana kindness. Among the
great engineering feats his name isJutniately
Spring Valley and Bensley Water Works the
blowing up OF Blossom Rock, HE building Of
Hunters Point Dry-dock, and The dredging of
Oakland Haibor, which Is now progressing. He
surveyed half the Stale for the Federal Govern.
menl, and is now living in The hope of supplying
his feiiow-citiZenS with an abundance OF pure,
cold wafer from Lake Tahoe
The morning call., 1890-09-08

nent in organizing the Republican party
On this Coast and in 1861 was one OF
The mounted guard OF personal friends WHO
occasion OF Ills Inauguration. During the Lin
coin administration lie was appointed Navy
Agent In san Francisco and at the cad Of his
term in 1865. lie went into Tic Wholesale liquor
business with Joseph N. Scuher. In 1875 he
disposed OF bis interest and invested his means
In mining proi critics. He returned East in 1880
and remained there until his demise on the eth
OF July last. His eldest surviving son is Lieu.
enant-Conilnander Leonard CheUery, U. S. n.
younger son, Horace. Is also living at The old
homestead In RcIfasf Me
The morning call., 1890-09-08
SAMUEL BRANNAN.

Few men were more prominent In tile carry
settlement of The state than Samuel Bfannan,
the second President of the Pioneers. Boia 81
Saco, Me-, in 1919, lie moved to Ohio in his four
leenlh year ald there apprenticed himself to Tile
printing business. Before The completion Of his
apprenticeship lie bought up his time ana lC-
year eniefed into the land speeulations wa
eonvulsed The country a that Iipae. He returntd
10 lie case in 1897 ana after travelling through
almost syery State ID tie Union went 10 s7snT
New Yoik Messenger
he organized an e&.
reached San Fran
Csc after his arrival be
erected Ia The couhtry on
site now cut. by va, stleeI, ana within six
on Tie Coast lie California Star from which
sprang Tie Alta California. Following quickly
upon these enterprises BE established trading
excitement OF 1S4S-49. lie laid the iounda-
ton of great lc.tune. which he Increased
rapidly by Iudiel0uS Investments in SacI amento
real estate In l849 he returned to
year was instruaei % breaking u IL carc
OF regulators WHO. IS The mounds tesfcTiZed
the foreign residents oi ZIG stnms for man
months. This iransaeuua gaze Use 90 The Niei-
lance Committee, OF which in 1851, BraDaau be-
came the President, His hrst appea anee 70
politics was III no previous wear, wleu-he was
elected 10 the first ieENlaf Town Council IN
1853 lie became State senator, and eleven
years later lie took the siHi1r t1I Tie EepuhHean
party and WAS CHOSEN iiesidsHtiai e6ctor
During his long and active career he Was the ~
tellIeent promoter OF new industries and public
enterprises. In his exIensiFe foreign travels he
made careful selections OF th5 rare breeds OF
mutton ana mtrinO sheep and The choicest Yari
cites oil grape scigus wp5'h lie imported al con
siderable expense. t!GrtvoS ,'Fide VI bis blooded
stock aud entertained advanced Ideas nus.
baudTy, which were put into operation on bis eX
iensiye ranches throughout tie State. He was
an ardent co-oneator In Tue organization of rail-
road, telegraph and express companies, banks,
insurance companies and every association that
gave Iremise OF usefulness. He was large in
weston in san francisco property, and his hue,
extensive buildings on Montgomery and Mission
streets siill stanu as monuments to his enter
prise aud public spirit. During tie last years of
his lie his vast fortune melted away and lie died
iiornia, on May 3. 1859.
The morning call., 1890-09-08

ton, and was the bearer Of important dispatches
from President Tyler 10 Samuel Bonston who
Ras then operating IN Texas. During The same
aamHsiraliou be was appointed Consul to the
Hawaiian ISLANDS, ana on his way there
he dropped into Monterey. This
10 lS47. Two years later he returned
to California, and ENGAGE 10 perCan lie pursuits
here. in 1854 lie was lpFe 3teo and SecIe-
is.,y OF the Masons for the state of lifornia, on
The death OF Levi Stowell, anG the following year
lie was elected TO the position which he Das ever
since retained.
Among lie l;rFortan Offices he las filed may
= naE4egtG Thar u state senator during tie
E,arssetfh session COMMISSIONER OF Emigra.
ton Chairman vi lis Is. afst state Central
Committee, President OF The PicDeers ioe ilrs
terms and President O! the masonic hai Asst
sis;s OF two daughters who are both married..
Heis the owner OF considerable real estate IN
ihfs cffv and Oakland
The morning call., 1890-09-08
ALEXANDER MONTGOMERY.

Alexander Montgomery, who now fills Tie
presidential chair, is a capitalist of long stand
ing, a liberal patron OF charities AMI generous
donor 10 the institutions of tie Presbyterian
faith. He was bonn IN County Down, Ireland,
on March 2. 1925. In his boyhood he was ap-
nrenliced 10 HE Tailor business. which lie fol-
lowed until 1916, when lie emigrated to New
YORK. lie remained n tailor Tor some months in
MS new home, and eventually opened clothing
store Ill EnglShton, n. j., in which lie pros
pered until tie gold fever struck him. In tho
latter rait OF 1S4s lie closed out his business
ana, with lily other adVen urous spirits pur-
CHASED the balk A. Emory, frelgbted her with
bniiding materials and tools, and on January "a,
1S49 set sail for the new FL Dorado. After au
exciting but tedious passage San Francisco was
reached on September 9Th. Tie cargo was
shortly disposed OF to advantage, and then tue
bark was hea ded for Sacramento where the lit
ne comrany LANDED after Two weeks trip, sold
up mo parties OF ten or Twelve
lie Joined parry which went to Bldweps i;sr.
where nearly all of It's members were taken down
with scnryy. From there he went to Feather
River and then 10 Dry Creek, but ia neither place
was he fortunate. Alter abandoning mining he
invested what means lie had III a leaning outgt,
ana began hauling provisions, clothing, ETC., To
Inc camps he had previously worked In. In This
he met with measurable success. He next en-
gagged in the clothing business in Benlcia and
Sacramento. and from that went into the hotel
business. Selling out at the end OF year l.e
realized handsome profit. which he Invested Id
quaftz-Hill In Grizzly Flat. lie retired from Tits
Without growing richer, ana at the instance OF
John NJ. Rhodes, The Sacramento banker, Ia
vested in a mortgage upon CUlusa ranch. From
This time on his prosperity increased 50 rapidly
that he Kept investing in ranch properties, and
by doing so infused new lie into the agricultural
Industries OF the upper Sacramento Valley.
Having thus firmly established himself, aud
being possessed OF an assured income, Ire de-
voted great deal OF his subsequent Lille 10
travel Up 10 1888 lie had always made Colusa
his home. In that year he moved TO Oakland,
and shortly after took up his residence bzrG,
where he has ever since resided.
The morning call., 1890-09-08
WILLARD Ii. FARwELL.

Inc ienln PRESIDENT OF the society was W. B..
ra,wen, VINO was born In Marlborough, Mass,
on January 20, 1929. His father, Richard Far
wei, wen, wa, an aiunhus Of Harvard College. class
,, -, .no Caleb Cushing and was an
school the news OF Marsbalps discovery filled
young 20 Earweii with desire Tor adventure, and
p W n lVn Do o.sos Ne decided upon coming 10 the
ina assoc,n,io'o WIN The combined capital OF
nseinl wares pu! on board, ana on January IL,
Eramrisco ~, ru,v The party arrived in San
Tue most trivial disaster. The ship and lis cargo
sis ase1 Ssad q Went to iaavqars and when he
Of riches Farwell sought ihe u,;n . -. ~
Mokeiumue HUI bidwelps Bar, Woods Creek.
The morning call., 1890-09-08
RICHARD CHENERY.

Richard Chenery. native Of Montague, MASS,
where he was born in 1917, became sixteenth
President Of the society in 1869. lie arrived
mere August IA 1s49, on the brig Acadian, ana
Toned III tie general rush for the .aisg,ns .,.,
'aier he became Interested In mefcantiie ru,.
.,,its Steamboat enterprises, railroads ana was
one of Inc organizers Of the California nsea,
Navigation Company. He was also pionf
The morning call., 1890-09-08
ISAAC e. DAVIS.

Isaac Elphinstone Davis was inaugufated the
tnirty-first Pr resident of the California Pioneers
in 1887 He was born at West B0ylston, Mass,
November 2. 1923. Excited by the wonderful
stories related OF the gold find he sailed from
New York in March, 1s49, and, after long, and
avantfnl frp by Panama. arrived in San Fran
cisco ON August 3Oth. Pushing on to The mines,
he spent few months on the American River
ana then wandered BACK 10 tnis city. where he
Iractor. Rumors Of rich discoveries In the
northern mines drew him in that direc-
tien In the spring OF 1860, but he returned
steamer II. T. Clay. then doing a profitable busi.
ness on the Sacramento, ana filled the post Of