Sonoma County CA Archives History - Books .....Cloverdale Township 1880 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 25, 2006, 11:36 pm Book Title: History Of Sonoma County CLOVERDALE. This township is situated in the extreme north of Sonoma, borders on Lake county, and is famous for its picturesque scenery. Through it the Russian river flows, leaving a tract of rare fertility on either bank, while it is backed by a range of hills which, though they produce no trees, grows an abundance of grass. Upon these, thousands of sheep are pastured, the raising of this stock being its principal industry. CLOVERDALE.—This is the only town in the township, and had its commencement in this wise: In the year 1856, R. B. Markle and W. J. Miller purchased eight hundred and fifty acres, which included the present site of Cloverdale, from Johnson Horrell, who claimed a portion of the Rancho de Musalacon. In 1859, J. A. Kleiser bought the property of the above named parties and, in October of that year, had the site surveyed and the town laid out by J. B. Wood, County Surveyor. It was named Cloverdale—a happy departure from the pecular mining names or Indian appellations then in vogue—but by whom, it has never been fully established; the evidence, however, is in favor that Mrs. R. B. Markle was the fair sponsor. A man named Levi Rosenburg opened the first store in this part of the country, on the east side of Russian river, near its confluence with Sulpnur creek, some time early in 1856. In October of that year, J. H. Hartman and F. G. Hahman of Santa Rosa conceived the idea of establishing a trading post at Markle's place—by which name Cloverdale was then known—it being on the route taken by travellers to Mendocino and Humboldt. The first hotel was opened by R. B. Markle about this time in the house now occupied by John Fields on East street, and was called the Cloverdale Hotel. On Kleiser becoming possessed of the property he succeeded Markle in the hotel business as well, and kept it for one year from September, 1859. The first house within the town of Cloverdale was an adobe, owned by a Spaniard, and situated on the eminence south of Mr. Kleiser's house, on land BOW owned by William Col well. In 1859, Hartman & Hahman disposed of their business to Levi & Co.; others came in, but the growth of the town was next to nil. It was not until the arrival of the railroad that matters mended, then a reaction set in. On February 28, 1872, an act incorporating the town of Cloverdale was approved and the limits described to be as under, to wit:— Commencing at the month of a certain creek where it empties into Russian river, on the west side of said river, at or near where the road leading from Cloverdale to Clear Lake crosses said Russian river, and continuing up the center of said creek until it strikes the north-west corner of the lands of John Otis; thence in a southerly direction along the Wamboldt and Kleiser line fence, and still continuing in said direction until it strikes the south-west corner of Dr. J. Ramey's lot of land, and then in an easterly direction to the south-west corner of Blakeley s land; thence northerly to Kleiser's picket fence, being the line fence between Caldwell's and Kleiser's land; thence following said fence to Russian river; thence up said river to place of beginning. Under this Act the following were appointed Trustees in May, 1872: Harry Kier, Amasa Morse, John Field, W. E. Crigler and Theodore Harper. The town is cozily nestled among the hills and possesses a number of neat residences, more in proportion than in most places of no greater population There are a Congregational, a Methodist Church South, and a Catholic church. The public school is a well constructed building, presenting with its shade of native oaks, a very attractive appearance, besides which the Masonic, Odd-Fellows and United Workmen orders are represented. The Cloverdale Water Works, under the management of J. A. Carrie, supply the town with water sufficient for all demands, while it boasts of one newspaper, an excellent journal. In the Spring of 1872, W. J. Bowman started the Cloverdale Review. Soon after S. B. Baccus commenced the publication of the Cloverdale Bee. In November, 1876, the Cloverdale News was given to the public by W. S. Walker, who now owns and conducts the Cloverdale Reveille. First Congregational Church.—The outgrowth of this church was from the labors of Rev. James S. Burger, a missionary of the American Home Mission Society, who commenced his labors in that district on November 1, 1868. A congregation was organized by Rev. James H. Warren, D. D., then agent in California for that society, on January 17, 1869, consisting of the following members: Rev. James S. Burger and Mrs. Burger, Mrs. Charles Cooley, Mrs. J. A. Carrie, Mrs. H. F. Gerkhart, Mrs. Sarah Hall, and Mrs. John Edwards. It was then resolved to erect a place of worship, and a building committee appointed, consisting of David C .Brush, Charles H. Cooley, James A. Kleiser, Thomas S. Calvin, and Harry Kier. This edifice was commenced in 1870 and completed during the following year, being situated in Block L., West street, and cost about two thousand five hundred dollars. It is thirty by fifty feet, and has a belfry, in which hangs a well-toned bell, presented by J. B. Ford, of Mendocino City, but now a resident of Brooklyn, Alameda county, which cost three hundred dollars. In July, 1870, Rev. James S. Burger resigned the pastorate, when a call was accepted by Rev. E. Jones, who preached his first sermon in September of that year. March 27, 1871, Mr. Jones resigned, and was succeeded by Rev. D. I. Williams, of Shillsbury, Wis., who took charge of the church as acting pastor; he left in May, and on July 14, 1871, Rev. William J. Clark entered upon the duties of acting pastor. In the month of March, 1872, Doctor Warren, of San Francisco, presented a beautiful silver communion set, as a gift from the Congregational Church of Oakland; August 18th, of this year, Mr. Clark sent in his resignation, and on the 3d of October, G. F. G. Morgan was elected pastor for one year; he, however, preached but a short time, when an invitation was extended to the Rev. A. F. Hitchcock, dated October 13, 1872. Mr. Hitchcock not accepting the call, it was sent to J. J. Powell, of Rio* Vista, on December 1st; he commenced his duties on December 4, 1872. On May 8, 1875, Mr. Powell resigned. On June 6th Isaac W. Atherton was called to the pastorate; on July 4th, he accepted it and forthwith commenced his labors. He resigned September 30, 1877. December 30th of that year, Rev. S. P. Whiting, the present pastor, was called to undertake the duties. At a meeting held in January, 1879, Miss Sarah Miner was elected Clerk, and is the present holder of that office. The membership is thirty-six, while the attendance at the Sabbath-school, of which Henry Hoskins is the Superintendent, is about fifty. Catholic Church.—This church commenced holding services about the year 1870, in the Cloverdale Hotel and other places till 1878, when the present beautiful little church on block A, corner of Main and Broad streets, was erected. It was dedicated, May 7, 1870, by Archbishop Alemany of San Francisco. Services are held once a month by Father J. M. Conway of Santa Rosa. SOCIETIES.—Curtis Lodge, No. 160, F. and A. M.—This Lodge commenced work under dispensation, August 8, 1859, with William H. Hollis, W. M.; Eli Lester, S. W.; T, J. Gould J. W.; J. B. Estess, Treasurer; Thomas Johnson, Secretary; James Ramey, S. D.; N. L. Morrey, J. D.; Samuel Larson, Tyler, who with J. W. Belden, were the charter members. The first meetings were held in a building now occupied by Charles Cook as a saloon in block J. On May 10, 1860, the charter was granted. In the Summer of 1870, the lodge moved into a building, the first one north from their former room, where they are now located. The officers for the present term are: H. Kier, W. M.; Charles H. Cooley, S. W.; Charles Bean, J. W.; J. A. Carrie, Treasurer; D. N. Wambold, Secretary; Lars H. Woolford, S. D.; C. A. Williams, J. D.; Thomas Johnson, Tyler. Cloverdale Lodge, No. 193, I. O. O. F.—This Lodge was organized December 2, 1871, with R. A. Zimmerman, N. G.; J. L. Dougherty, V. G.; Jasper A. Linville, Recording Secretary; F. D. Mize, Treasurer; who were with Philip How, the charter members. This meeting was held in the Masonic Hall, opposite the United States Hotel, continuing there to convene until February 1, 1875, when they leased the brick building adjoining the above hotel, belonging to D. Chamberlain, situated on Lot No. 40, block C, and fitted the upper story as a lodge-room, where they are now located. Their day of meeting had from its organization up to the month of September, 1876, been every Monday; since that time it has been changed to Saturday evening of each week. The lodge is in a flourishing condition, and has for its present officers: Frank Spencer, N. G.; L. R. Standley, V. G.; P. Ludwig, Secretary; Neil Anker, Treasurer. The average membership is thirty five. Cloverdale Lodge, No. 32, A. O. U. W.—The Lodge of Ancient Order of United Workmen at Cloverdale was granted its charter May 3, 1878, the following being the officers at the time: Isaac E. Shaw, P. M. W.; C. A. Williams, M. W.; W. D. Sink, G. F.; W. F. Brush, O.; C. H.Bean, Recorder; J. A. Carrie, Financier; J. F. Hoadley, Receiver; John B. Cooley, Guide; W. N. Waite, I. W.; Frank Spencer, 0. W. The lodge meets every Monday evening in the hall of I. O. O. F., and is in a prosperous condition. The officers elected for the term ending December 31, 1879, are: W. D. Sink, P. M. W.; Neil Anker, M. W.; C. H. Bean, Recorder; E. A. Hoadley, Financier; J. F. Hoadley, Receiver; C. F. French, G. F.; W. N. Waite, O.; Charles Phillips, G.; C. A. Williams, I. W.; John B. Cooley, O. W. Schools.—The first school was opened in the year 1861, on the site of the present house, and was built by J. A. Kleiser. The building wherein instruction is now carried on is twenty-four by sixty feet, constructed of wood, and is two stories high. It is a graded school, the teachers being: W. H. Has-kins, principal; Mary J. Field, first assistant; Mary E. Minor, second assistant; and Eva J. Emory, third assistant. Cloverdale Water Works.—This company was established in the Summer of 1872, the books being opened in September of that year. The water is brought from Carrie's ranch, a distance of two-and-a-half miles, and has a fall of three hundred feet, with one break in the entire length. The company supplies, besides the dwelling houses, the sprinkling cart and fire department, there being sufficient force to make it thoroughly effective in such an emergency. The enterprise was started by F. W. Lougee, Josiah Moulton, and J. A. Carrie, who is the manager of the works, and from whose property the supply is obtained. HOTELS.—Cloverdale Hotel.—Was erected in the year 1858, by R. W. Dodge, and managed by him and others until October 5, 1872, when M. Menihan leased the building, having made considerable additions thereto since that time. The building is situated on West street, and is the starting place of stages for all parts of the country, the proprietor being agent for the Geyser Springs and Mendocino stage line. United States Hotel.—In the year 1859 thirty-six by twenty-four feet of this building was constructed, comprised in two stories of brick, with kitchen addition; to this was added in 1865 two stories adjoining, thirty-three by forty, of the same material, and as necessity demanded the following additions have been since made. In 1873 a barber-shop and saloon, two stories of thirty by sixty feet, and in 1875 a kitchen thirty-three by sixty-four feet. The building is located on Block C, Lots thirty-eight and thirty-nine, corner of West and Second streets, and has a frontage on the former of one hundred, and on the latter one hundred and eight feet. A spacious verandah occupies its entire length on both thoroughfares, while the dining-room, which is on Second street, is a square room capable of accommodating a hundred guests. The United States Hotel was built by H. F. Gerkhart, who is still its proprietor, at a cost, as it now stands, of forty thousand dollars, and is replete with every comfort for the permanent as well as the transient guest. The Cloverdale Reveille.—This newspaper made its appearance in the first week of October, 1879, W. S. Walker being the publisher and proprietor The Cloverdale News was started in November, 1876, by the same gentleman, but in the following April he disposed of his interest to J. F. Hoadly, who continued its publication until the Spring of the present year, when he removed the office to Santa Rosa, running it in the interest of the New Constitution party, at which place he suspended its publication in September, 1879. Mr. Walker then purchased the material, removed it to Cloverdale and the Reveille made its appearance as above stated. It is a well printed and readable sheet with every promise of a bright future before it. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY —OF- SONOMA COUNTY, -INCLUDING ITS— Geology, Topooraphy, Mountains, Valleys and Streams; —TOGETHER WITH— A Full and Particular Record of the Spanish Grants; Its Early History and Settlement, Compiled from the Most Authentic Sources; the Names of Original Spanish and American Pioneers; a full Political History, Comprising the Tabular Statements of Elections and Office-holders since the Formation of the County; Separate Histories of each Township, Showing the Advancement of Grape and Grain Growing Interests, and Pisciculture; ALSO, INCIDENTS OF PIONEER LIFE; THE RAISING OF THE BEAR FLAG; AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF EARLY AND PROMINENT SETTLERS AND REPRESENTATIVE MEN; —AND OF ITS— Cities, Towns, Churches, Schools, Secret Societies, Etc., Etc. ILLUSTRATED. SAN FRANCISCO: ALLEY, BOWEN & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1880. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1879, by ALLEY, BOWEN & Co., in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal. Printers., Stereotypers and Binders. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/sonoma/history/1880/historyo/cloverda140gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 14.6 Kb