San Joaquin County, CA History

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History of San Joaquin County, California with Biographical Sketches - Historic 
Record Company, Los Angeles, CA - 1923
 
CHAPTER XXIV
LODI, THE TOKAY CITY
 
        TWELVE miles north of Stockton lies Lodi, the Queen City of the San 
Joaquin Valley. It excels all other cities not so much in the number of its 
population, about 7,000, nor in its area, about one mile square; but it excels 
in its progress, government, civil pride, splendid churches and schools, 
handsome residences and social qualities. It owns its own lighting and water 
plant, sixteen miles of fine asphalt streets, sewerage system, handsome little 
theater, and fine hotel. And during the past year it has expended over 
$1,638,000 in municipal improvements, public service utilities, business houses 
and private dwellings.
        Soon after the Civil War J. C. Layman arrived overland and obtained from 
a man named Spencer his claim to 160 acres of land where now stands Lodi. He got 
the land for a span of horses. The land was so thickly covered with brush in 
many places that it was almost impossible to force one's way through. He bought 
several acres from R. L. Wardrobe, whose land was adjoining Layman's on the east 
side, at $2.50 an acre. He then owned some 240 acres of land on what is now 
north of Lodi Avenue and west of the Central Pacific Railroad. Layman with his 
family lived in a rudely constructed house on what is now West Walnut Street 
between Sacramento and School Streets. In 1867 he sold the entire tract to R. L. 
Wardrobe and Allen C. Ayers for $6.50 an acre and moved to Merced.
        When the engineers of the Central Pacific Railroad Company started to 
find the best and cheapest route from Sacramento to Stockton they made three 
preliminary surveys over northern San Joaquin County. One of these surveys was 
through Woodbridge straight into El Dorado Street, Stockton, a second survey 
about a mile east of Woodbridge, and a third survey over the route where now 
lies Lodi. Woodbridge was their choice of routes, but it is said the owners of 
the land refused to give them the right-of-way and asked for damages far in 
excess of the value of the land. Others say that the engineers were advised to 
locate their track farther east on the high land, as the Woodbridge route was 
frequently flooded from the high waters of the Mokelumne River. Woodbridge was a 
thriving town with a farming community surrounding it, and on tidewater with 
river communication to the ocean, while the Lodi section appeared to be a waste 
of sand, forest, trees, sage brush and jackrabbits.
        After the survey had been made through Lodi, A. T. Ayers, John U. 
Magley, R. L. Wardrobe and E. Lawrence petitioned the railroad company to locate 
a station on their land. As a bonus the three owners first named agreed if a 
station was there built and a town laid off to give the railroad every odd lot 
in the proposed town and a railroad reservation of twelve acres in the center of 
the town. Although the land at that time was of no great value, worth only the 
Government price $2.50 an acre, it was a good proposition and the company 
quickly accepted it. The survey was made in the spring of 1869, by the company's 
surveyor, Isaac C. Smith. He laid off the new town about one-half mile square, 
true to the points of the compass. It was a tract of 166 acres and included 
twenty-four acres of Magley's land, twenty-five acres of the Ayres tract and 
fifty-five acres of the Wardrobe property. A railroad reservation unfortunately 
was plotted in the center of the town. And now it is a great detriment to the 
city and getting worse every year. The streets were named running from east to 
west, Cherokee, Stockton, Main, Sacramento, School, and Church; from the north 
to south, Locust, Elm, Pine, Oak, and Walnut. Cherokee Lane, now the State 
Highway, was the eastern boundary of the town. The town plat from which this 
record is taken was filed in the county clerk's office August 25, 1869, by Dr. 
E. S. Holden of Stockton. The town was named Mokelumne City, but as it caused a 
confusion with Mokelumne station and Mokelumne Hill the citizens petitioned the 
legislature and in 1874 the name was changed to Lodi. Why the four-lettered name 
of Lodi? Nobody knows. Some say, among them George E. Lawrence, that the name 
was suggested "by the historic event of Napoleon at the Bridge of Lodi." Others 
say that in jest, it was named Lodi because of a famous four mile running 
stallion by that name stabled in the town, Lodi at that time being known as "the 
sporting center."
 
Pioneer Building
        The first building was the house erected by J. U. Magley in 1868 on the 
corner of what is now Pine and School Streets. After the laying off of the town 
the first building was a dwelling erected in August, 1869, by I. N. Stretch on 
the corner of Pine and Sacramento Streets. He also built a store for J. M. Burt 
& Ivory, who had come up from Woodbridge. The next building in the town was the 
famous Hooker House, so named after General Hooker, a famous Civil War general. 
The house was built for a hotel at Lancha Plana. Later it was removed to Campo 
Seco. In 1869 "Uncle Dan" Crist bought it intending to remove it to Dover on the 
San Joaquin River. It was moved to Lockeford, loaded on the steamer Pert, which 
sailed to Woodbridge. Then the future Lodi was founded and Crist then moved the 
old-timer to the new town. A postoffice was established and Crist was the first 
appointed postmaster. In the spring of that year, 1869, J. R. Allison built a 
stable and he and W. Jacobs established a stage line from Mokelumne City to 
Mokelumne Hill, the line making connections with the railroad. About the same 
time Thompson & Folger, from Woodbridge, opened a butcher shop, and Byron D. 
Beckwith opened a drug store. In September, 1870, John E. Spencer and John 
Flanigan built the Spencer House and it was opened in February, 1871, by Edward 
Olwell and J. A. Barry. The following year Spencer himself became the 
proprietor. In October, 1870, a correspondent wrote: "Our town is growing quite 
rapidly. Last spring we boasted of having eighteen houses, now we have 
fifty-six. Rev. Dr. Bryant is preparing to erect a church. R. Lefler & Co. are 
putting up a large hotel fronting 128 feet on two streets. W. B. Arnold has 
erected a substantial brick building. Charles O. Ivory of Stockton is putting up 
a two-story building for his bride, and R. C. Bosworth, James Ellison, C. M. 
Boalt, Isaac N. Stretch and Samuel Gray are erecting new homes. Woodbridge is 
contributing quite liberally towards building up the town, moving their houses 
to the railroad city. Liberty is sending her citizens, so also is Galt. George 
Crist, formerly the Woodbridge postmaster, is making improvements in his hotel, 
and has a big run of custom. Peck & Company are running a daily line of stages 
to Mokelumne Hill, and strangers are here looking for investments." Ten years 
later another writer declared, "Lodi owes its existence to the caprice of the 
railroad magnates. Had the railroad been built through Woodbridge, as at first 
mapped out, the site of Lodi would today have been a stubblefield. The 
population is about 800, and the various trades are well represented. Cluff & 
Smith are dealers in agricultural implements; J. E. Spencer has the only hotel; 
W. J. Rixon, restaurant and bakery; Ellison & Bunke, livery stable; Mrs. 
Herrington, millinery; Byron D. Beckwith, postoffice; Ralph Ellis, Lodi flour 
mill; A. Levinsky, dry goods; Ivory & Greene, general merchandise, and Dr. 
Williamson is the leading physician."
 
The Big Fire of 1887
        One of the most disastrous fires of Lodi was that of October 11, 1887. 
It broke out on the roof of the Novelty planing mill and within an hour the 
principal business blocks bounded by Sacramento, Pine, School and Elm Streets 
were a smoldering mass of ashes. The only buildings left were the Grangers 
two-story brick and two dwellings in the northern corner of the block. The fire 
was first seen by the engineer of the mill, Len Williams, as he came from 
dinner. He instantly gave the alarm and the whistle of the Lodi flour mill was 
blown. There was no fire department nor fire apparatus, and the citizens' 
efforts to check the progress of the flames with buckets of water was a hopeless 
task. The loss was estimated at $70,000 and among the losers was Martin & 
Rolland, planing mill; Mrs. A. Prieter, blacksmith shop; C. A. Rich, dwelling; 
G. W. Hill, jewelry store; J. J. Collins, hardware; H. Marker, saloon; A. C. 
Chalmers, restaurant; W. D. Smith & Son, butchers; Dougherty & Duffy's saloon; 
George F. Cluff, real estate; Hanson & Co., druggists; Lee & Juline, saloon; 
Thompson & Flogers, butchers; Richard Cope, harness and saddle shop; A. J. 
Larson, restaurant, and John Mundell, butcher.
 
The Lodi Hall Association
        The Grangers general merchandising store was erected in 1876 by the Lodi 
Hall Association at a cost of $9,750, the contract being let September 2, 1876, 
to Matthew McCarty, the Stockton contractor of St. Agnes' Academy. The 
association was incorporated April 8, 1876, with a capital stock of $20,000, 
with shares at $25 per share. The directors were Byron D. Beckwith, Amos W. 
Gove, John Hutchings, Henry Witte, C. C. Stoddard, N. S. Misener and B. F. 
Langford. The building is the two-story brick now on the corner of Sacramento 
and Elm streets, and the men who built were the forerunners of the enterprising 
citizens of Lodi of today. Not satisfied with erecting a fine building for that 
day they made further improvements in October, '76, by laying a twelve-foot 
asphalt sidewalk around the entire building.
 
Lodi Lodge, I. O. O. F.
        The fire was a great loss to the Odd Fellows, as they had just gone into 
the hall the previous year. Lodi lodge No. 259 was organized May 22, 1877, with 
fifteen charter members. The first officers were: John Rutan, noble grand; Henry 
Witte, vice grand; Thomas Russell, recording secretary; Allen T. Ayers, 
financial secretary, and Ezekiel Lawrence, treasurer. The additional charter 
members were: Past Grands C. V. Williamson, Morgan Crawford, Howard M. Craig, 
Samuel Ferdun, Reuben Pixley and John Hutchins. Where the lodge was organized or 
their place of meeting I know not. Probably in the same place they meet today, 
the hall being dedicated June 16, 1886. The hall was dedicated by Grand Master 
C. T. Eachran, assisted by brothers from the Stockton lodges. The ceremony was 
followed by a splendid program of musical and literary exercises. Then followed 
a fine supper at the Sargent House given by the Daughters of Rebekah, and the 
receipts of the supper went towards fitting up the new hall.
 
Flora Rebekah Lodge No. 162
        This lodge, with a splendid membership of 154, including fifty-one Odd 
Fellows, was instituted October 21, 1890. The first officers were Mrs. E. 
Hunting, noble grand; Mrs. W. B. White, vice grand; Mrs. John Hunting, chaplain; 
Mrs. W. C. Green, secretary; Mrs. Reuben Pixley, treasurer; Mrs. H. Witte, 
conductor; Reuben Pixley, inside guard; Henry Witte, right support noble grand; 
Mrs. Samuel Ferdun, left support noble grand; Mrs. B. Jory, right support vice 
grand; Mrs. George Hogan, left support vice grand. A few weeks after the 
instituting of the lodge the staff of Lebanon went to Lodi and conferred the 
beautiful Rebekah degree on twenty-one candidates. The team was composed of May 
Neumiller, Mrs. R. Roeblin, Mrs. Hoyle Greenwood, Alice Kafitz, Ida Confer, 
Amanda Grider, Mrs. C. H. Keagle, Mrs. Sol Confer, Agnes Steiny, George Homage, 
Allie Fyfe, Mamie Oldham, Mrs. Harry Homage, May Woodhull, Grace Farrington, 
Emma Waters and Jennie Fyfe.
 
Knights of Pythias
        Lodi lodge No. 41, Knights of Pythias is the outgrowth of Pythagoras 
lodge No. 41, instituted February 18, 1877, by Charles S. Eichelberger, past 
grand chancellor, assisted by members from the Stockton Knights. The lodge was 
instituted with a charter membership of fourteen Knights. The following officers 
were elected and installed: Henry Witte, past chancellor; E. B. Sherman, 
chancellor commander; H. C. Gillingham, vice chancellor; H. M. Craig, prelate; 
John Rutan, keeper of records and seals; Frank Davis, master of finance; M. 
Bruml, master of exchequer; George Kirkland, master at arms; E. W. S. Woods, 
inside guardian; W. D. Smith, outside guardian. In the spring of 1883 a new 
lodge was organized by the former members of Pythagoras lodge. The new lodge was 
hailed as Salem lodge No. 105. The two lodges were united in January, 1887, 
under the present name Lodi No. 41. Since 1901 the Knights have met in the Odd 
Fellows hall.
 
Chosen Friends
        At one time, 1882, the Chosen Friends was a popular organization and a 
council of the order was instituted in Lodi, December 8, with twenty-five 
members. The following were the elected officers: P. C. C., W. R. Ellis; C. C., 
J. A. Wilson; O. C., Henry Kinard; pre�late, T. A. Wilson; secretary, C. J. 
Waldren; treasurer, E. R. Pease; W. M., F. N. Copeland; sentinel, S. H. 
Turndell; medical examiner, Dr. E. A. Burchard.
 
The 4th of July, 1885
        Lodi has always been famed for its celebrations, and their first 
celebration of America's Natal day is a well-remembered event. Her enterprise in 
having a free barbecue as the chief feature of the celebration resulted in 
crowding the town with visitors. Senator B. R Langford was president of the day, 
and A. J. Larson, grand marshal. About 10 o'clock in the morning a procession, 
including a majority of the visitors, was formed at the corner of Sacramento and 
Elm streets and the march was taken up to Lodi park. The Lodi silver cornet band 
and the Lodi glee club furnished excellent music. Senator Langford made a short 
speech of welcome and F. B. Mills read the Declaration of Independence, Charles 
Ferdun gave a declamation, and Joel A. Snell supplied the original poetry. The 
opening prayer was delivered by Rev. W. R. Gober, and the benediction was 
pronounced by Rev. Dr. N. W. Lane. The oration was delivered by Judge Van R. 
Patterson, who did himself and Stockton credit. Foot races, base ball, other 
games and dancing supplied all the enjoyment that was needed after the general 
attack on the roasted ox, until 4 o'clock, when the horrible organization of 
Calethumpians paraded and then indulged in literary exercises.
 
Hartford Post, G. A. R.
        The Grand Army of the Republic is fast being mowed down by the scythe of 
Old Father Time, and in a few more years their record will be complete. In 1890 
there were quite a number of the old guard living in Lodi, and on a Saturday 
evening, May 12, 1890, thirty-three of them assembled and organized a Grand Army 
Post. They selected the name of Admiral Farragut's famous flagship Hartford as 
the name of their post. The following officers were elected: T. F. Tracy, 
captain; John Archer, post commander; Reuben Pixley, senior vice-commander; J. 
W. Horton, junior vice-commander; B. M. Vichey, adjutant; Eli Dayton, 
quartermaster; J. J. Robinson, surgeon; Lemon Williams, chaplain; A. A. 
McClelland, officer of the day. They were mustered in a few days later by Judge 
Buckley, the newly elected commander.
 
The Moquelemos Grant Celebration
        Probably the most heart-felt celebration ever held in Lodi was that of 
May 19, 1876, when the settlers in that section celebrated their victory over 
the Central Pacific Railroad which claimed a large section of their lands. The 
contest between the settlers and the railroad was in the courts for many years 
and finally reaching the Supreme Court of the United States, May 8, 1876, the 
following joyful news was received by Henry S. Sargent of Stockton by telegraph 
from Congressman Horace F. Page: "Case of Newhall versus Sanger decided for the 
settlers, sustained in every point." The settlers were so happy over the fact 
that they would not be dispossessed of their homes that they resolved to 
celebrate the event with a big barbecue, a monster parade, an oration, games, 
baseball, and other amusements. Stockton had been invited and an excursion train 
of twenty-two cars attended the celebration. The crowd of over 2,000 citizens, 
including the Stockton Guards and firemen both in full uniform, the Knights of 
Pythias and the San Joaquin band. There was a short parade, an oration by Joseph 
H. Budd and then the barbecue, in the Lodi park. An immense crowd for that day 
were in attendance, from 10,000 to 15,000 people from all parts of the county.
 
The Salem District School
        James A. Sollinger, then county superintendent, said in an address in 
1883, that at first the school districts were designated by numbers and the 
children few in number and the school houses far apart. The section around Lodi 
was known as school district No. 2. The school commissioners were J. H. Woods, 
D. J. McNeil and Otis Newton. The district included both sides of the Mokelumne 
River. In 1858 the districts were given names and the Lodi district was known as 
Henderson, named after Thomas J. Henderson, the first school census marshal. In 
1859 the district was divided and that portion south of the river was known as 
Salem district. In that year the county superintendent, L. C. Van Allen, 
appointed John Coldwell and George D. Compton as the school trustees of the new 
district. The first teacher of the school was J. P. Carleton, later a teacher in 
the Stockton schools. He was succeeded by Hamilton Wermouth, in the spring of 
1860. The teacher first named was paid his salary from a subscription fund 
donated by the farmers. Wermouth was paid from the state and county fund, it 
amounting to the magnificent sum of $86.85. There was not a dollar in the Salem 
school fund, and when the trustees gave the teacher the order for his salary, 
they "fired him" and refused to permit him to continue teaching. Wermouth was 
determined to continue his school work. Going to a Mr. Willhelm near the ferry 
he rented the second story of his home and continued his school teaching. The 
third teacher was a pedagogue who liked his toddy. He would try to conduct his 
school while under the influence of liquor and one day a trustee gave him a 
severe caning, and he was discharged. The fourth teacher, Mr. Foster, was very 
successful in his school work.
        The first schoolhouse in the Salem district was built in 1858 on the 
south side of the Mokelumne River on the land owned by Ezekiel Lawrence. The 
money for the building was subscribed by the settlers, and the lumber obtained 
in the mountains was brought to the site by Victor and Peter Jahant. The doors, 
windows, sash and furniture for the building were made by Mr. Lawrence, who was 
a carpenter. After the division of the district the little schoolhouse was 
removed to a point about a mile and a half further south on what is now known as 
the Barnhart tract. After the railroad came through, the building was again 
moved this time to the present location of the Salem school. It was again moved 
to make way for a larger building, and for several years it was the home of 
James Hutchins. Lucille Lefeber in a newspaper article published some years ago 
gives a different account of the first school, which consisted of one room and 
was located on the northwest corner of Pine and School Streets, hence the name 
of the street. She wrote: "The first schoolhouse on the present Salem school 
grounds was built in 1872. It was 30x40 feet, two stories high, and cost $2,160. 
In 1881 a one-room addition was added and the next year another room was added 
in the yard." The "Lodi Sentinel" published at that time speaks of one building 
as "the kitchen" and of the other as "the woodshed". Before the last room was 
added, the extra pupils were housed in Stoddard's hall, which is now the 
Cosmopolitan hotel, at the corner of East Oak and Main streets. The enrollment 
at that time was 193. Professor Russell was the principal when the present Salem 
school was erected. The old building was moved to West Pine Street, where it was 
used for the dining room of the old Lodi Hotel for years. A pupil in this school 
was Laura DeForce Gordon, one of the first advocates for woman suffrage and the 
second woman in the state admitted to the practice of law.
        The present Salem school, a wooden two story structure, was built in 
1883 at a cost of $12,000, some say $15,000. It is located on Stockton near 
Walnut street and was quite a school building in its day. The county 
superintendent in speaking of it said "This magnificent school building with its 
mighty dome to the heavens is a monument to the enterprise and energy of the 
citizens of Lodi and Salem district." It was dedicated October 13, 1883, with 
the following invocation by the Rev. T. B. Palmer; solo "The Old Stone Mill", 
Lizzie Richardson; opening address, J. A. Sollinger; quintette, "Twilight on the 
Beach" Lizzie Richardson, Mary Wright, Florence Russell, W. C. Green and D. L. 
Spotts; character recitation, "The Black Horse and His Rider," Cyrus Newton; 
solo, "When the Robins Nest Again" Lizzie Richardson; closing remarks Professor 
O. E. Swain; benediction by the Rev. E. B. Palmer. At the close of the exercises 
those present enjoyed a dance to the music of Boswell's orchestra, comprising 
Messrs. Boswell, Brattan, Andy Ware and George E. Lawrence. A few years later it 
was decided to form a high school to include the following districts: Salem, 
Harmony, Live Oak and Alpine district. An election for school trustees was held 
in the districts named July 11, 1891, and the following trustees elected: James 
A. Anderson from Salem, T. P. Heath, Harmony; George Hazen, Live Oak, and M. C. 
Dow, Alpine. In organizing as a school board John A. Anderson was elected 
president and George Goodcell, clerk. A part of the grammar school was given 
over to the high school which was known as the Lodi High School.
        The following teachers were the principals of the school up to 1907. O. 
E. Swain, Freeman B. Mills, Wm. Piper, Edward McCourt, Mr. Somers, C. Adams; 
1891, E. B. Wright, Eugene Hogan, M. C. Dow, F. B. Wooten, 1902, George M. 
Steele, 1904, John Anderson, John Williams, 1911, William Inch.
 
The Emerson School
        The Salem school in 1904 was more than crowded with pupils and as more 
school room was necessary the trustees called for a bond issue of $25,000 for 
the purpose of purchasing land and erecting a large wooden building. The bonds 
were voted and the trustees purchased a block of land just four blocks from 
Sacramento street between Elm and Pine streets. They named it Emerson after the 
famous essayist, and it was dedicated in 1907, the last of the fire-trap school 
buildings.
 
The Union High School
        A mass meeting was held May 18,1911, for the purpose of discussing the 
question of a Union high school for the northern part of the county. George E. 
Lawrence was elected chairman of the meeting and L. V. Peterson secretary. It 
was resolved to organize a high school to include the Lodi, Lockeford, Victor, 
Henderson, Woodbridge, Alpine, La Fayette and Houston districts. It was proposed 
to bond these districts for $150,000, the bond election to take place December 
14, 1911. The night before the election there was an immense mass meeting in the 
opera house which was addressed by Hillard E. Welch, George M. Steele, the Rev. 
E. B. Winning of the Methodist church, Wm. Inch, principal of the high school, 
and Hugh McNoble. On the morning of the election there was a parade of over 1000 
school children, carrying flags and banners. The vote for the bonds was 931 for 
and only 366 against. The bonds were sold at a premium of $12,000. The trustees 
selected as the high school site the twelve-acre tract of Thomas Hutchings just 
west of the limits of Lodi. There was as usual in every progressive movement, 
considerable opposition to this site. And at the election for trustees, April 5, 
1912, the knockers tried unsuccessfully to elect a new board of trustees, but 
the old board were re-elected, by a handsome majority. In 1919 the trustees 
erected a splendid high school in honor of the American Legion and named it 
Clyde Needham, in honor of the first Lodi boy to die on the battlefields of 
France. It is built of hollow tile and cost $110,000. Contractors declare it the 
final work in school construction and equipment. It has ten rooms, including the 
study room, which has a seating capacity of 400. The school will accommodate 200 
pupils. The study hall is fitted with a stage and dressing rooms. There is also 
a projection room for moving pictures. The social science department is equipped 
with gas ranges, modern kitchen, dining room and other appliances. There is also 
a fine manual training shop. The school was opened to students on March 1st. The 
board of trustees follows: J. C. Kellar, William H. Faust, George A. Keagle.
        The school was dedicated February 22, 1921, with very impressive 
ceremonies including a parade of the American Legion, Woman's Relief Corps, Boy 
Scouts, Golden Star mothers who lost their sons, and school children led by the 
Tokay band with Mayor John S. Montgomery as grand marshal, assisted by Walter 
Jahant, Harry T. Bailey, E. A. Thompson and H. L. Emerson. On arrival at the 
front of the school building the following program was given, singing of 
"America" by Mrs. Mary Mac Adam Yerbury; prayer, Rev. Charles Price; address, 
Maj. W. P. Garrison; address, Governor W. D. Stephens; presentation of flag to 
school by Mrs. Belle Wright for Hartford Corps No. 49, W. R. C.; solo, "Flanders 
Requiem," Mrs. Yerbury; address, Maj. W. A. Mason, commander of Needham's corps; 
"Star Spangled Banner," Tokay band. During the afternoon Governor Stephens was 
given a lunch in the Hotel Lodi as the guest of Maj. W. E. Garrison, Mayor John 
S. Montgomery, H. E. Welch, John B. Cory, J. M. Blodgett, Dr. J. P. Sargent, J. 
V. Bauer, V. R. Larson, George H. Moore, T. G. Elwert and Marshall Dement. That 
evening there was an entertainment in the Lodi theater for the benefit of the 
Tokay band, the proceeds to go towards paying for their new uniforms.
        A second fine school building was erected in March, 1922, at a cost 
approximately of $65,000, in the southern part of the city on what is known as 
the Sturla tract. The building, 125x210 feet, is of concrete and hollow tile 
with a composition roof. The structure which contains six class rooms, including 
a manual training department, domestic science room, model dining room, large 
assembly hall capable of seating 400 people, library and board room, with 
offices for the superintendent and principal. The assembly hall will be fitted 
with a large stage with all the necessary equipment. The class rooms will be 
arranged around a patio, with covered walks connecting with each room.
 
The Methodist Episcopal Church
        Approaching Lodi on a Sunday evening the traveler's attention is called 
to an unusual light in the horizon. Coming near he sees that it is a brilliantly 
electrically lighted revolving cross, some eighty feet in the air, surmounting 
the tower of the Methodist Episcopal church. It is a beautiful temple of worship 
of brick and red sandstone, erected in 1919 at a cost of $50,000, the outgrowth 
of the evangelistic work of the Rev. Colin Anderson, a Methodist circuit 
preacher, who held services in that vicinity in the winter of 1861 and '62. His 
circuit included the Live Oak and Woodbridge churches. Several years later the 
Rev. J. H. Bryant located in the Woodbridge region and he found forty-six 
Methodists in that vicinity. After the founding of Mokelumne city quite a number 
of Methodists settled in the town, and services were held in their homes with 
the Rev. J. W. Bryant as pastor.
 
The Burning of the Church
        In 1870 the Christians of the town concluded to erect a house of 
worship. It was planned to erect a chapel at a cost of $1,500, a Union church in 
which all denominations could hold services except the Mormons. Unfortunately 
the building caught fire by some unknown means about 2 o'clock in the morning of 
February 7, 1878, when nearly completed and was entirely destroyed. With the 
characteristic energy that has always animated the people of Lodi the citizens 
held a meeting that evening and resolved to immediately rebuild the church and 
pay the debt on the destroyed building amount to $600. Subscriptions were called 
for and some $700 subscribed on the spot. The Methodists of the town having a 
complete organization, now took up the work and erected a church on the same lot 
as the destroyed structure, corner of Oak and School streets. One of the charter 
members of the church was George W. Hill, and in the farewell meeting in the 
pioneer building February 20, 1920, he said that they occupied the church for 
forty-five years. During that time and later the following pastors have been in 
charge: Revs. J. W. Bryant, 1870; E. K. Belknap, '73; E. P. Walker, '75; Hazen 
White, '77; Charles Haswell, '79; Thomas B. Palmer, '82; W. R. Gober, '84; 
Edward E. Dodge, '85; Seneca Jones, '86; J. L. Mann, '91; H. Copeland, 1902; 
Hindson, '04; E. B. Winning, '07; W. P. Grant, '20; J. H. Troxell, '22; the 
present pastor is H. B. Beers.
 
The Congregational Church
        It is on record that the Congregational Church was organized March 6, 
1862, and that "their first services were held in a barn." Proof of their 
organization at this time was given in March, 1912, when they held their Golden 
anniversary. In March, 1872, says another account, a Congregational Church of 
nine members was formed, with the Rev. O. A. Ross of Lockeford as their acting 
pastor. Mrs. Gertie DeForce Cluff said in the Valley Review in December, 1878, 
that the church was organized with the following members: Mrs. Crounch, Mr. and 
Mrs. Gillespie, Mr. Black, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Elliott, and Mrs. Collins. The 
first pastor was Rev. W. C. Stewart, who rode ten miles to attend services in 
all kinds of weather. In 1878 the membership had increased to twenty, the 
organization took a new start and the idea of building a church was determined 
upon and the following officers elected: Edward Elliott, Sr., and Charles 
Elliott, deacons, and Charles Elliott, secretary and treasurer, with Dr. 
Johnson, O. Gillespie, Edward Elliott, Sr., Thomas Farchilds, Charles Elliott, 
Allen T. Ayers, and L. S. Morse, trustees.
        In September of that year the first Congregational society was organized 
with Mrs. W. C. Stewart as president; Mrs. Scott, vice-president; Mrs. Collins, 
secretary and treasurer; Mrs. L. M. Morse, Mrs. A. T. Ayers, Mrs. Thomas 
Fairchilds, Mrs. Merwin and Mrs. S. P. Sabic, directors.
        A lot was obtained on School Street near Lockeford and a small wooden 
church erected at a cost, building and furniture, of $3,200. As the congregation 
increased in numbers additions were made to the building. During the pastorate 
of the Rev. F. M. Washburn, from 1904-11, the present large structure was 
erected. The following are some of the pastors during the past years: Rev. W. C. 
Stewart, C. C. Corwin, N. W. Lane, George B. Allen, John W. Brier, Jr., George 
H. DeKay, M. Washburn, who resigned in December, 1911, because of ill health, W. 
L. Schwimley and Charles S. Price.
 
The Episcopalians
        Although few in number the Episcopalians are an enthusiastic body of 
Christians. Organized early in the year 1900 they held services in a public 
hall, and T. C. Hawley acted as lay reader of the service of worship. Along 
about 1909 although with only a few hundred dollars in the treasury the 
vestrymen began making plans for a chapel and a church home. The following year 
they obtained a site for a church, corner of Lee and Locust streets, and at a 
cost of $3,000 erected a very pretty edifice, which was completed in September 
of that year. For a time the Rev. D. O. Kelley of San Francisco was the 
missionary in charge, conducting the services once a month. The remaining 
Sundays T. C. Hawley conducted the services. Rev. John Morgan conducted services 
along about 1893 and in 1911 they had a permanent rector, Rev. W. H. Hawkins, 
who preached his first sermon May 7 of that year. In 1919 the vestrymen called 
the Rev. George B. D. Stewart, who had supplied the pulpit of St. John's Church, 
Stockton, while the rector was in France. Rev. Stewart died in 1922.
 
The Incorporation of Lodi
        The incorporation of Lodi as a city of the sixth class was under 
discussion as early as 1903, but the opposition to an incorporation at that 
time, prevented its attainment. According to the law governing cities of the 
sixth class it was necessary for a majority of the citizens within the limits of 
the proposed city to petition the board of supervisors to call an election for 
the citizens to vote upon the question of incorporation. The opposition of the 
saloon keepers to the movement naturally increased the desire of the better 
class of citizens for incorporation, and in October, 1906, a petition was 
presented to the board for supervisors by W. A. Young, Max Elwert, W. A. Spooner 
and George M. Steele, petitioning the board to call an election for the 
incorporation of the city of Lodi. As there was a large excess of names the 
petition was granted and the election called.
        The business men were the leaders in the movement, and as they were 
desirous of hearing a business man's opinion upon the question, they sent an 
invitation to J. R. Broughton to address them. Mr. Broughton was a banker of 
Modesto, a business man and one of the leading movers in the incorporation of 
that city twenty years previous. A mass meeting was held in the Lodi Opera House 
November 20, 1906. At the conclusion of the address the business men nominated a 
ticket comprising a board of five trustees and other officers. The trustees were 
to hold office for four years, two or three, as the case might be, to be elected 
every two years. The charter also called for the election of a clerk, treasurer 
and marshal. The Business Men's ticket contained the following names for 
trustees:  George E. Lawrence, A. W. Keeney, J. M. Blodgett, F. O. Hale, and S. 
W. Beckman; for clerk, Henry E. Ellis; for treasurer, W. H. Lorentz, and for 
marshal, A. B. Krutz. Keeney and Beckman declined to serve and Leon Villinger 
and A. C. Rich were appointed. H. E. Ellis declined the nomination of clerk and 
J. A. McMahon was appointed.
        The election was held November 27, 1906, and the incorporation of the 
city was hotly opposed by the saloon element. The vote for incorporation was two 
to one for it. The church bells rang out their joyous peals over the victory, 
and the Stockton Record, congratulating the citizens, said: "When the church 
bells of the town are rung in honor of the result of an election it is safe to 
presume that it has been no ordinary political contest. It would be a great 
thing for Lodi to be able to print on its stationery as in Riverside and other 
southern towns: 'No saloons in Lodi.' "
 
First City Officers
        The following officers were elected together with their vote for 
trustees: J. M. Blodgett, 350; F. O. Hale, 362; George E. Lawrence. 290; C. A. 
Rich, 181; Leon Villinger, 186. For clerk: J. A. McMahon, 269; his opponent, 
124. For treasurer, no opposition, W. H. Lorentz, 391. For marshal, H. B. 
Coleman, no opposition, 374. A few evenings after the election the citizens held 
a grand ratification meeting in the opera house. The meeting was addressed by 
Mayor M. J. Gardner and Judge Wm. B. Nutter of Stockton and by local speakers. 
The meeting was enlivened by the Lodi band and local vocalists. The first 
meeting of the trustees was held December 7 in the "new city hall on North 
Sacramento Street." They had no money in the treasury, no fixtures, books or 
papers of any kind with which to conduct business, and it was suggested that the 
trustees dig down in their pockets or hold themselves personally responsible for 
books, furniture, etc.
        The following is the official roster of Lodi up to the present time:  
        Board of trustees―November 27, 1906, president, George E. Lawrence; J. 
M. Blodgett, C. A. Rich, F. O. Hale, Leon Villinger. April 15, 1912, president, 
George E. Lawrence; M. J. Blodgett, C. A. Rich, F. O. Hale, C. A. Black. April 
20, 1914, president, F. O. Hale; Max Foldendorf, E. M. Keeney, E. E. Deever, C. 
A. Black. April 15, 1918, president, C. A. Black; Joseph D. Crose, E. M. Keeney. 
F. O. Hale, John S. Montgomery. April 19, 1920, president, J. S. Montgomery; 
Joseph D. Crose, C. A. Rich, F. O. Hale, A. D. Hickok. April 17, 1922, 
president, J. W. Shattuck; John Mettler, Jr., C. A. Rich, F. O. Hale, A. D. 
Hickok.
        Clerk―November 27, '06, J. M. McMahon; March 9, '14. C. A. Rich; April 
20, '14, Harvey S. Clark; February 1, '21, John F. Blakely.
        Marshal―April 20, '08, H. B. Coleman; August 8, '20, R. B. McClure; 
April 17, '22, F. Christensen.
        Assessor―Nov. 27, '06, J. M. McMahon; March 9, '14, C. A. Rich; April 
20, '14, H. S. Clark, Jr.; February 1, '21, John F. Blakely.
        Treasurer―April 15, '12, W. H. Lorentz; April 17, '22, W. H. Lorentz.
        Tax Collector―April 20, '08, H. B. Coleman; April 15, '18, W. H. 
Lorentz.
 
The Water Works and City Hall
        Lodi was supplied with water by a corporation as early as 1891 by the 
Bay City Gas, Water and Electric Works; G. G. Buckland was the president and J. 
H. Fish the secretary with offices on Pine and Sacramento streets. They sold the 
plant to the Carey Brothers, who it appears supplied the citizens as did the Bay 
City company with water and gas. In November, 1901, the proposition was 
discussed by the citizens of having electric lights in the town. The Carey 
Brothers took the matter in hand and agreed to establish a lighting plant in 
Lodi within two months, and putting a very low rate, asked for a two year 
guarantee. The guarantee was given and the electric lighting plant was installed 
with a capacity of 500 lights, sufficient at that time to light the town. The 
lights were turned off at midnight.
        After the incorporation of the city the board of trustees, Messrs. 
Lawrence, Blodgett, Hale, Rich and Villinger, thought it would be a paying 
proposition for the city to own its own water works. They made a proposition to 
the Carey Brothers to purchase the plan. They were also running an electric 
plant, and asked for the whole thing $55,000. It was certainly some hold-up, for 
in the spring of 1919 the trustees obtained the entire water and power plant for 
$30,000. The city at the time was bonded for some $130,000 for the plant, a 
sewer system, public utilities, etc. The trustees took out the old second-hand 
wrought-iron water pipes used by the old company and put in steel pipes. Then at 
the water works they erected on iron stanchions 138 feet in height, a 100,000 
gallon steel tank; and with it a first class pumping plant. This plant more than 
paid for itself in a few years, and at present there is a profit sufficient to 
pay the overhead expenses of the city.
        You remember that when the city was incorporated the city office was in 
a building on North Sacramento Street rented from the county. With the 
progressive enterprise that has always been characteristic of the board of 
trustees they concluded in 1912 to have a city hall owned by the city and stop 
paying rent.  They could not agree as to its location, as some of them wanted to 
purchase the Gealey lot on North Sacramento Street as the city hall site. The 
majority of the trustees voted on placing the building next to the pumping 
station on North Main Street. A two-story brick building was there erected and 
at a contract price of $3,995. The building was completed and ready for 
occupation in July, 1912.
 
Lodi Fire Department
        Lodi's first department was composed of volunteers with H. E. Welch the 
first chief engineer. The department at this time, May, 1911, consisted of two 
combined chemical and hose wagons drawn by horses. In November, 1911, there was 
a reorganization of the department comprising some eight men, and E. H. Stark, 
who had formerly been the fire department chief in Fergus Falls, Minn., was 
induced to take the chiefship of the Lodi Fire Department. Stark divided the 
city into four sections, the division lines being Pine Street and the Southern 
Pacific Railroad track. At the annual election in May, 1920, E. H. Stark was 
again elected chief. L. H. Rinn was elected vice-president; H. E. Welch, 
treasurer; Wm. H. Faust, secretary  M. R. Channell, first assistant chief; J. W. 
Landback, second assistant chief; T. R. Leeck, foreman of Wide-Awake hose 
company and M. Roracker assistant; Fred Spiekerman, foreman of Alert hose 
company and Henry Gimbell assistant; John Schaefer, foreman of hook and ladder 
company and P. W. Lehman assistant; the chemical engine company has George 
Olenberger for foreman and Wm. Schnabel for assistant.
        The city trustees in September, 1920, purchased a Seagrave triple 
combined fire pump at a cost of $13,000. It is capable of playing three streams 
of water and one stream will deliver 750 gallons of water per minute, and from 
three 50-foot lengths of hose a stream of water was thrown from a two-inch 
nozzle more than 50 feet in the air and a distance of 200 feet. The machine was 
pumping 1050 gallons a minute at the time.
        Lodi's first Board of Trade was organized February 28, 1887, and was 
known as the Northern San Joaquin County Board of Trade. The board organized by 
electing W. C. Childs president-recording secretary; J. B. Ruffman, 
corresponding secretary; T. C. Riggs, treasurer, and C. A. Rich, director, Lodi 
district. In 1901, April 9, Lodi's Chamber of Commerce was organized to develop 
the resources of northern San Joaquin County; to include immigration, foster 
trade and aid and encourage commercial intercourse throughout the county. The 
board of directors for the first year were C. M. Ferdun, W. W. Henderson, F. W. 
Beckman, Ed. Hutchings, George Hogan, C. L. Newton, Al. Breitenbucher, A. T. 
&well, J. B. Cory, M. Van Gelder and C. P. Garrison. There are now about 150 
members.
 
The Lodi Press
        Lodi's first newspaper, the Valley Review, was published July 20, 1878, 
by Mrs. Gertie De Force Cluff. It was a small seven-column folio, published 
weekly. Mrs. Cluff conducted the paper for six years, then sold the plant to 
Walcott & Cheney. They sold the paper a year later, 1885, to Bloomer & Moore, 
who failed to make good, and it was attached by the sheriff and sold.
        In 1885 Mrs. Cluff started an opposition paper to the Review. It was a 
five-column eight-page sheet, and a year later she sold to Howell & Matteson. 
Hoping to make the paper a success by changing the name, they called it the Lodi 
News. The office was destroyed by fire July 7, 1887, and was not again 
republished. A second Valley Review was issued August 16, 1888, by Frank Cluff, 
who had formerly acted as manager for his sister's paper, the Cyclone.
        The Lodi Sentinel, still in existence, was first issued July 19, 1881, 
by W. R. Ellis and J. W. McQuaid. Both men later sold out and took charge of 
other county papers. Frank E. Ellis and his brother, H. F. Ellis, bought the 
paper in 1887.
 
Post Office
        Lodi today has one of the prettiest and most convenient postoffices in 
the county, far and away ahead of the little dark corner it occupied in 1869 
when Daniel Crist was the postmaster. This was a wooden building liable to be 
destroyed at any time, and when the Grangers erected their two-story brick 
building, northwest corner of Sacramento and Elm Street, Byron Beckwith leased 
the corner store and was appointed postmaster. About that time there was a young 
man named Robert L. Graham clerking for Beckwith. He learned the druggist trade 
and in time bought out the drugstore. The office of postmaster went with it and 
in 1881 Mr. Graham was appointed to the office and was postmaster through two 
presidential terms, that of Garfield and Harrison. He might have continued as 
postmaster, but the postoffice department demanded more room, so fast had the 
business grown, and the office was removed to Elm Street near Sacramento, with 
Harvey S. Clark, Jr., as postmaster. Clark held the office through 
1902-04�06-11, and was succeeded February 9, 1914, by J. M. McMahon. About this 
time the office was moved to North Sacramento Street near Locust. McMahon was 
succeeded by John Blakely, and he by Claude Keagle. The present acting 
postmaster is Emerson E. Herrick, who enjoys the neat new postoffice leased by 
the Government of the City Improvement Company. The building is a two-story 
brick structure, 65x85 feet floor space, and is equipped in accordance with the 
plans furnished by the government. This includes a Government-owned cancelling 
machine, which is given only to offices handling 3,000 pieces of mail per day. 
The office employs five clerks and four city letter carriers, besides several 
rural carriers.
 
Lodi's Progressive Banks
        It is of record that a bank was established in Lodi January 21, 1884, 
with a capital stock of $375,000. The officers were Andrew Sink, president; and 
John Nevin, manager, The directors and stockholders were C. A. Rick, Augustus 
Thiel, Andrew Sink, Samuel Ferdun, John Nevin, W. D. Smith, David Kettleman, L. 
O. Gillespie, J. J. Hubbard, E. R. Pease, Dr. S. P. Hopkins, Dr. C. V. 
Williamson and E. D. McGreen.
        The Bank of Lodi was incorporated June 7, 1888, with a capital stock of 
$25,000. It was organized by Ex-Senator Ben F. Langford, one of San Joaquin 
County's progressive citizens, with the following stockholders. T. C. Shaw, O. 
O. Norton, M. W. Shidy, John B. Cory, E. E. Moran, C. W. Norton, H. B, Backman, 
Owen Lacey, George McNoble, Gottleibe Doering, W. D. Sturdevant, Otto Spenker, 
Reuben Fixley, W. H. Lorentz, C. Fatheringham, Max Elwert, J. M. Blodgett, 
George E. Wilhoit, Ezra Fiske, R. T. Ogden, J. R. Mitchell, George W. Le :Min, 
F. W. Beckwith, Charles Sollars, Clara E. Love, Harriett D. Shaw, Mary E. 
Sargent, Mary B. Shidy and Hedwig Lorentz.
        The First National Bank was organized March 1, 1905, with a capital 
stock of $25,000. Fitting up a neat bank in a brick building at 14 Pine Street, 
they were ready for business September 12. The officers were John B. Cory, 
president; M. W. Shidy, vice-president; W. H. Lorentz, cashier; J. P. Shaw, 
assistant cashier, and C. W. Norton, attorney. The officers, together with H. C. 
Beckman and O. O. Norton, constituted the directors. The bank immediately became 
so popular that in May, 1909, they increased their stock to $80,000. Again it 
was increased February, 1911, to $100,000, and in January, 1922, it was 
increased to $200,000, with a surplus of $120,000.
        On April 9, 1907, the directors of the First National Bank organized the 
Central Savings Bank with the same officers and directors. The stock was 
$25,000. It was increased to $80,000 in 1909 and to $100,000, February 10, 1911. 
In June, 1915, these two banks were moved into the corner of the Hotel Lodi 
building, a handsome three-story pressed brick building erected by the bank, 
John E. Cory, who had been president of the bank since its organization, 
resigned December 3, 1921, and W. H. Lorentz was elected president.
        In 1916, May 24, the Farmers & Merchants Bank was incorporated, capital 
stock $25,000. The first officers were Chris Allbright, president; Lot Lund, 
vice-president; E. B. Doering, secretary, cashier; H. B. Nelson, treasurer, with 
John Mettler, Jr., Gottlieb Doering, H. C. Large and Peter Joens, directors. 
Their capital stock in 1923 was increased to $90,000. The Citizens Bank of Lodi, 
the fourth bank in the progressive city, was organized in December, 1921, with 
the following officers and board of directors: John B. Cory, president ; Wilson 
H. Thompson, vice-president; Frederick Spoerke, cashier; and F. M. Mills, D, D. 
Smith, Henry Pope, G. L. Meisener, H. A. Fairbanks, M. V. Bare, John S. 
Montgomery, E. H. Humphrey and Burton A. Towne, directors. They began business 
in the Beckman Thompson building on School Street with a capital of $250,000. 
Shortly after this time they purchased a lot on the northwest corner of School 
and Oak Streets and began the construction of a handsome steel reinforced 
concrete building, at a cost complete of $90,000.
 
The Tokay Carnival
        What was the idea of a Tokay grape carnival ? To show and to advertise 
to the world the beauty and the value of the flaming Tokay grape, so named 
because of its beautiful coloring when ripe, like a dark red flame of fire. It 
grows to perfection in no other section of the land and shipped east in New York 
it brings fancy prices. The Lodi section in its earlier history was known as the 
watermelon center and in a single month, August, 1881, they shipped twenty-one 
cars of melons. Later the growers learned that it was a wonderful grape growing 
district, and there was three times the amount of money in grapes. As to the 
amount grown and their value, we have only the report of 1920-21. In the year 
first named a total of 8071 carloads of grapes were shipped from the Lodi 
section. At the same time the dehydrators and wineries handled approximately 
18,000 tons. In 1921 the Lodi district shipped out 9,133 carloads or 127,962 
tons. These are S. C. Beane's figures, the Stockton freight agent of the 
Southern Pacific Railroad. Last year the crop in that section was estimated at 
$10,000,000 and yet they lost over $2,000,000 because of the car shortage. This 
was a prologue to the Tokay carnival, which was considered as a festival of far 
reaching importance. The idea of the carnival was first thought out by Charles 
Rey, a business man of Lodi. He interested Henry F. Ellis of the Lodi Sentinel, 
Joseph Friedberger, W. W. Henderson and Frank Christman. The carnival took place 
in September, 1907, the month when the Tokay grape begins to ripen into beauty. 
In commemoration of the event, they erected the Tokay arch, over spanning Pine 
Street junction of Sacramento. It is of purely mission style of architecture and 
erected at a cost of $500 obtained by subscription, and is today one of the most 
attractive features of the city. The carnival continued for three days, the 
principal feature being the parade and the crowning of the Queen, Bertha De 
Almado, on the first day. The parade formed with J. W. Dougherty as grand 
marshal. Then came the Lodi band, John Bauer leader, preceding Queen Zinfandel 
and her pages, Merle Lillie, and Mildred Stannard. Behind the Queen rode her 
maids-of-honor in a tally-ho, Minnie Harney, Nina Wilson, Myrtle McClung, Inez 
Smith, Tillie Doering, Florence Snedigar, Gladys Graham and Grace Freeman. Then 
followed a float representing a gunboat manned by young ladies, who had been 
drilled by Mrs. C. E. Pickering. A second float, that of the Rebekahs, 
represented a swan-appearing boat handsomely decorated in the colors of the 
order, pink and green. On arrival at the Arch the Queen was escorted to the 
throne on the platform by C. M. Ferdun, who presented the Queen her scepter as 
Queen of the Carnival. George E. Lawrence, as chairman of the board of trade, in 
a short address, presented her the keys of the city. At that hour the artillery 
band from the Presidio, San Francisco, had arrived, and the Coronation ode was 
sung by twenty-five young ladies, under the direction of May Ferrell, 
accompanied by the band. At this time Governor Gillett and J. H. Filcher arrived 
and made a short address. The carnival ended Saturday with dancing and a 
confetti battle.
 
The Lodi Brass Bands
        Lodi has always been a musical city and not lacking in brass or military 
bands. As early as 1876 a band, was organized with George E. Lawrence one of the 
promoters of the movement. He told at one time how they decided to organize a 
band although they did not have an instrument, no music, no director, nor the 
money to pay for any of the necessities. Finally they saw an advertisement in a 
paper when an eastern company was selling out a complete set of instruments at a 
reduced price. With no money on hand they signed a note, there being eighteen 
members. Several philanthropists were found and $300 paid down.
        This band, with a strong determination to succeed, now advertised for a 
leader, and as it happened, the Forepaugh circus was wintering on the Pacific 
coast and the band leader came to Lodi. His surprise was a terrific one when he 
found that not one of the eighteen members had an instrument or knew a note. He 
was pursuaded to stay and after the arrival of the instruments they moved out to 
a little shack south of the city to practice. At that time, according to Mr. 
Lawrence, the city was a little strip along the railroad tracks. South from 
School Street was a forest primeval, and to the east an even worse tangle of 
brush, while live oak trees literally dotted the "business section."
        This band organized in 1876 was a great success for the next two years, 
but finally died in 1878. There were several bands organized during the past 
years but they were not a success for some reason. At one time Edward Houseman, 
Joseph Condy and Jabez Harris of Stockton were band leaders, John Bauer, a 
competent band instructor, located in Lodi in 1897 and organized a band. He 
continued his residence in Lodi up to the time of the Allied war and at that 
time he had an excellent band of musicians.
 
The Lodi Prohibition Movement
        Never in the history of Lodi has there been so much interest taken in an 
election as that of April 14, 1914, over the question of high licensing the 
saloons. The contest actually commenced April 4 over the election of a school 
trustee. There were two candidates in the running, John H, Davies and Otto 
Weihe. No particular interest was taken in the election until about noon. At 
that hour a number of the "dry" workers got out their automobiles and began 
carrying Davies voters to the polls. Then the wets became alarmed, thinking that 
Davies was a dry candidate and, getting out their automobiles, began working for 
Weihe. It was a false alarm, for neither man was interested at the time in the 
saloon movement. It gave the wets a good scare and it brought out an unusually 
large vote. Weihe, who had formerly been a school trustee, polled 416 and Davies 
270 votes.
        It was a hot campaign up to the time of the election. Meetings were held 
in public halls and the opera house which was crowded to hear such speakers as 
J. Stitt Wilson of Berkeley, Rev. A. C. Bane, then the president of the 
Anti-Saloon League of Northern California, Rev. F. A. Keast and Rev. E. J. 
Dennett of Stockton, in favor of high license. The first mayor of Lodi, then 
president of the Grape Growers Association, published letters in the press 
arguing that a high license was a foolish ordinance. Another prominent grape 
grower threatened that if the business men voted for high license the 
association would no longer trade in Lodi.     Early in the morning of the 14th 
the voters were at the polls, and by noon half of the registered vote had been 
cast. Automobiles were everywhere in sight carrying voters to the polls. Each 
party had about twenty-five automobiles at work. When the polls closed it was 
found that the drys had won by a small margin, 655 to 648. A committee of wets 
then went to the dry committee of twenty-five and requested them to let the 
raising of licenses rest until after the fall election, as the agitation was 
hurting business. They agreed. When the State election came on November 4, in 
which there was an amendment to the constitution prohibiting the sale of all 
intoxicating liquors, Lodi, in her four precincts, including Elkhorn and Live 
Oak, polled a heavy majority against prohibition, 559 to 337. The women voting 
for the first time evidently opposed prohibition, but favored the red light 
abatement act, which carried, 462 to 320. We all know what happened, the state 
went dry, including Lodi and in the exclamation of the old Methodist, "Glory to 
God."
 
The Women's Improvement Club
        Go where you may throughout San Joaquin County and you will find that in 
the smaller cities and towns the women are taking the lead in improving and 
bettering the conditions of affairs in their localities. In Lodi the women have 
made a splendid success of their work, especially in erecting a splendid 
two-story brick club house, the finest in the county. The club was organized in 
1906, the year of the city's incorporation. Its object was to assist in the 
progress and betterment of the city along civic, literary and other lines. The 
movement as a local organization was for some reason not a success. Mrs. John S. 
Montgomery, who was strongly interested in the movement, suggested that the club 
join the State Federation of Clubs.  The suggestion was adopted and in 1908 it 
joined the Federation of clubs, and was placed in the Alameda district which 
included Contra Costa, Solano, Alameda, Calaveras, Tuolumne and San Joaquin 
counties. The uniting with the State body put new life and energy into the club 
and they did some fine local work in planting trees along the highway, 
inaugurating a clean-up day every year, placing signs upon the street corners, 
petitioning the board of trustees to lay cement sidewalks, and other things that 
might be mentioned. In order to raise money to carry out many of their 
improvements they gave vaudeville and concert entertainments, gave social teas 
and dancing parties, and annually held a Jinx day. By these different plans of 
money making in one year they cleared over $1,500. Each member paid an 
initiation fee and dues and this money was also devoted to civic improvements. 
The club today has nearly 500 members and is in a flourishing, growing 
condition. The following ladies have been elected as presidents: Mrs. Emma Witte 
Humphreys, Mrs. Belle Cooledge, Mrs. Dora Clark, Mrs. John S. Montgomery, who 
was the first president under the Federated Clubs, Mrs. G. L. Meissner, Mrs. J. 
E. Nelson, Mrs, Cecil B. Clancy, Mrs. Harry D. Sharp, Mrs. O. S. Newman. In 1913 
the name was changed to the "Woman's Club of Lodi."
 
The Woman's Club House
        The crowning work of the club is the erection of a splendid club house 
45x100 feet, corner of Pleasant and Pine street, at a cost of $40,000. Up to 
this time they had been assembling in the homes of their members and in public 
halls, and the idea of having their own club house was voiced soon after their 
uniting with the state clubs, and with that object in view in 1915 the Women's 
Building Association was incorporated with a capital stock of $20,000 with 
shares at $5.00. They soon found that their capitalization was too small and 
they then increased the amount to $50,000.  As incorporated the officers were 
Mrs. John S. Montgomery, president; Mrs. W. R. Thompson, vice-president; Mrs. 
Cecil B. Clancy, secretary; Mrs. C. M. Ferdun, treasurer, and those already 
named, with Miss Anna Brack, Mrs. Edward Hutchins, Mrs. Mamie Jahant, Mrs. A. J. 
Cook, Mrs. Theodore H. Beckman, and Mrs. Oliver S. Newman, were directors. 
Purchasing the lot at a cost of $16,000 at the annual stockholders' meeting and 
luncheon in the Hotel Lodi, April, 1922, it was decided to proceed immediately 
with the building of the club house. Work was commenced in November and 
completed in March, 1923. The building is of the colonial style and is not only 
fitted up in every way convenient for club purposes but it contains a fine 
auditorium seating over 600 persons and a large banquet hall.
 
The Carnegie Library
        Lodi's first library was established in 1885, the citizens at that time 
fitting up three rooms in the Heald building for library purposes. Money was 
freely subscribed toward the library fund by Congressman J. A. Louttit, Ben F. 
Langford, Ross C. Sargent and many others, and about $1,500 was subscribed. The 
record states that the library was formally opened October 24 "with a concert by 
the local brass band and vocal and literary exercises." The library was 
supported by donations and entertainments, and February 4, 1887, an 
entertainment under the direction of Cyrus B. Newton was given in Barnhart hall 
for the benefit of the free reading room. The program comprised a vocal solo by 
Eva Custer; recitation, Mary Stevens; instrumental solo, Carrie Ivory; essay, 
Wm. B. Piper; recitation, C. B. Newton; cornet solo, George E. Lawrence; 
recitation, Nellie Shattuck. Was this library closed? There is no continuous 
record of the library until May, 1904. At that time says the State Library 
report, a library was established in a rented building with a rental of ten 
dollars per month. The Lodi Public library and free reading room in that year 
was on Sacramento Street near Pine, and Harvey S. Clark was the librarian. Rev. 
W. P. Grant of the Methodist conference was stationed in Lodi. Interested in 
library affairs, he conceived the idea of the library having its own building 
and he suggested the Southern Pacific Railroad Company that they give the 
citizens the old depot as soon as their new depot was completed. They agreed, 
provided the citizens would remove it from the railroad reservation. A few years 
later it was learned that a gentleman living in Lodi was well acquainted with 
Andrew Carnegie and his library-giving donations. In every donation he required 
that the city trustees or those in charge of the library movement must first 
select and have a clear title to the library site. It was now up to the Women's 
Improvement Club, and purchasing a lot at the corner of Pine and Pleasant 
streets an entertainment and dance was given June 5, 1909, and the money was 
used in completing the payment for the lot for a library. The plans were drawn 
for a handsome library to cost $10,000 and the cornerstone was laid that year, 
April 17, by the Grand Lodge of Masons, the cornerstone being laid with 
appropriate ceremony by W. Franklin Pierce, grand master. There was singing by 
the Masonic quartette and an oration by County Judge C. W. Norton. The library 
building was completed early in the following year and opened to the public 
February 12, 1910, with Jaison Swallow as the librarian. The Women's Improvement 
Club gave an entertainment in the opera house May 6, 1911, for the benefit of 
the library book fund. Donations of books were given by many different 
individuals, the writer gave quite a number of books, and the public Library of 
Stockton donated several hundred volumes.
 
The Heroic Dead
        In the hallway of the Clyde Needham memorial school there is set in the 
wall a large bronze plaque and upon it is inscribed the following: "In Memory of 
Clyde Needham." He was the first young man from the Lodi district to die upon 
the French soil, his face to the enemy. Needham, who was twenty-two years of age 
when the Allied War broke out, was living with his grandmother, Mrs. M. F. 
Fuqua, 316 West Locust Street. After entering the army he rose to the rank of 
corporal, and was killed July 15, 1918, in action in the Champagne offensive. 
Upon the same plaque is inscribed the names of twenty-seven boys who made the 
supreme sacrifice, namely: James B. Anderson, John G. Anderson, Harold E. Cary, 
Joseph Drabkin, August Frey, Ralph Gillespie, Herbert Howard, Wilbur Hugill, 
Alexander Linde, George Mauch, Clyde Needham, James Miller, Virgil Pearce, 
Charles R, Patten, Wm. C. Rossi, Arthur J. Setzer, Roy Spencer, Clyde Stamper, 
Martin Troy, Henry Trimberger, W. I. Tredway, Arthur Vincent, Charles E. 
Walther, Vernon White, Henry Wittmeier, Ora Wynn and Henry Wisthoff. The solemn 
impressive ceremony of unveiling the plaque took place February 22, 1922, in the 
front of the school building. After the singing the "Flanders Requiem" by Mrs. 
Mary McAdam Yerbury, Major W. A. Mason, Clyde Needham's first commander, briefly 
related that terrible battle that began on the Fourth of July and as the Tokay 
band played the "Star Spangled Banner," and the large crowd stood with uncovered 
heads, the Major slowly drew aloft the flag, unveiling the plaque.
 
Armistice Celebration
        After many months of anxiety and worry bedlam broke loose in Lodi, when 
the news was received about 1 o'clock in the morning of November 11, 1918, that 
the German army had surrendered. The fire whistle was blown, the church bells 
were rung, and in a short time everybody was on the streets, the automobilists 
blowing and tooting their horns. About 4 o'clock the Eagles' drum corps was upon 
the street and leading a procession the happy throng marched over the town, 
hurrahing, shouting and singing. During the forenoon hundreds of citizens went 
to Stockton to the impromptu celebration of victory. They returned to Lodi and 
about three o'clock a procession was formed at the Eagles' Hall on North 
Sacramento Street and after marching over the town they halted at the Tokay 
arch. At that point a platform had been erected, and a meeting of jubilee was 
held, C. C. Woodward was elected to preside. Then followed a patriotic song by 
the quartette comprising Wm. Brown, Floyd Lyon, J. C. Ferguson and Rev. J. W. 
Schwimley, patriotic addresses, Hilliard E. Welch and Rev. E. J. Bradner.
        In the life of a parent there is no event more thrilling than the return 
of the boy from a terrible war, this case upon the field of France. There were 
tears of grief when they marched to the front and tears of joy upon their 
return, alive, but many of them crippled in limb and with health destroyed. Such 
an event occurred in Lodi June 4, 1919. In preparation for the "home coming" the 
streets were beautifully decorated with evergreens and red and white and blue 
and that night the town was in a blaze of color. The celebration began with a 
parade led by the Tokay band of over 600 soldiers, marines, Spanish and Foreign 
Wars veterans under the command of Maj. W. E. Garrison, Hartford Post, G. A. R., 
Boys Scouts, Women's Relief Club, Women's fraternal and religious societies and 
over 2,000 children of the public schools. Several closed cars were in line, 
each auto with a Golden star upon the door panel. And in the cars rode Mrs. H. 
R. Hugo, who lost her boy in Belgium; Mrs. L. Rossi, whose son died early in the 
war; Mrs. P. M. Pearce, her soldier boy dying at Fort Douglas, Arizona, and Mrs. 
L. M. Spencer, whose son died on Angel Island. The parade formed at the Eagles' 
Hall on Sacramento Street and after marching through the principal streets they 
halted at the Tokay arch, and address of welcome was given the returned soldiers 
by H. E. Welch and there was community singing led by the Rev. W. A. Schwimley. 
The soldiers were then honored by a barbecue which was held in the Municipal 
Park.