FAMILY LINES AND HISTORY
Martin Huffman Yates
Son of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr. & Harriet Barton
Born: 1855, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
Died: Feb 26, 1898 (age 42), Fresno, Fresno Co., California; consumption
Buried: Feb 28, 1898, Fresno County Cemetery #1, Fresno, Fresno Co., California
Education: Attended Santa Clara College in Santa Clara, Santa Clara Co., California
Languages: English, Spanish, and German
Occupation: Clerk, typesetter, telegraphic stationmaster for Southern Pacific Railroad, musician, piano player with California Stock Company
Married: Dec 26, 1874, Josephine Cecille Des Granges, Redwood City, San Mateo Co., California
Three children: Alice Josephine Yates, Martin “Matthew” Loweree Yates, Jr., Josephine Marie Yates
Josephine Cecille Des Granges
Only child of the Marquise Auguste Des Granges & Marie Rose Haine
Born: May 10, 1858, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania
Died: Jul 5, 1884 (age 26), San Francisco, California; in childbirth with 3rd child
Buried: Jul 7, 1884, Oddfellows Cemetery in San Francisco, California
Reinterred: Her body was removed between 1931-1933 to Greenlawn Memorial Park in Colma, San Mateo Co., California
Married: Dec 26, 1874, Martin Huffman Yates, Redwood City, San Mateo Co., California
Three children: Alice Josephine Yates, Martin Loweree “Matthew” Yates, Jr., Josephine Marie Yates
1. Alice Josephine Yates
Born: Sep 30, 1875, Mayfield (now Palo Alto), Santa Clara Co., California
Died: Oct 15, 1959 (age 84), San Francisco, California
Buried: Oct 19, 1959, Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, San Mateo Co., California
Married (1): Sep 29, 1890, Edmond Pierre Clement, San Francisco, California
Two children: Roy Leavitt Clement, Edna Marguarite Clement
Married (2): 1897, Milo Bailey Kellogg, San Francisco, California
Two children: Leo Yates Kellogg, Milo Martin Kellogg
2. Martin Loweree/Lawree “Matthew/Mat” Yates
Born: Jun 24, 1878, Mayfield (now Palo Alto), Santa Clara Co., California
Died: Aug 24, 1942 (age 64), Sacramento Co., California
Buried: unkn
Occupation: Laborer on Southern Pacific Railroad
Never married, no children
3. Josephine Marie Yates
Born: Jul 5, 1884, San Francisco, California
Died: Jul 5, 1884 (at birth), San Francisco, California
Buried: Jul 7, 1884, Oddfellows Cemetery in San Francisco, California
Note: bet 1931-1933: body removed to Greenlawn Memorial Park in Colma, San Mateo Co., California
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Timeline and Records
Spellings and information in census and other records are retained
as reflected in the original documents
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Five known of 13 children of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr. & Harriet Barton:
1. Chapman Leavitt “Brett” Yates, Jr.
1836-1893
2. Sierra Nevada Yates (female)
1850-1851
3. Jessie Yates (female)
1853-1855
4. Martin Huffman Yates
1855-1898
5. Hattie Yates
1861-1861
Only child of the Marquise Auguste Des Granges & Marie Rose Haine:
1. Josephine Cecille Des Granges
1858-1884
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1855: Birth of Martin Huffman Yates, son of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr. & Harriet Barton, in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
May 10, 1858: Birth of Josephine Cecille Des Granges, the only child of the Marquise Auguste Des Granges & Marie Rose Haine, in Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania
Jun 18, 1860: U.S. Federal Census, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California:
Name Chapman Yates
Age 51
Birth Year abt 1809
Gender Male
Race White
Birth Place New York
Home in 1860 San Jose, Santa Clara, California
Post Office San Jose
Dwelling Number 555
Family Number 41
Real Estate Value 2000
Personal Estate Value 1000
Married Within Year Y
Household Members (Name) Age:
Chapman Yates: Age 51, Merchant, born New York (Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr.)
Harriet Yates: Age 42, born New York (Harriet (Barton) Yates)
C L Yates: Age 23, Printer, born Michigan (Chapman Leavitt Yates, Jr.)
Martin H Yates: Age 4, born California (Martin Huffman Yates)
Dan Holley: Age 39, Day Laborer, born New York
1869: U.S. School Catalog, Santa Clara College:
Name Martin Yates (according to this record, Martin is abt 14/15 years old)
Publication Year 1869
Publication Place California
School Name Santa Clara College
Residence Place San Jose
Jul 20, 1870: U.S.Federal Census, San Jose, Santa Clara, California
Name: Chapman Yates
Age in 1870: 61
Birth Date: 1855
Birthplace: California
Home in 1870: San Jose, Santa Clara, California
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Alviso
Occupation: Stationary Dealer
Household members: Name, Age:
Yates, Chapman: Age 61, Stationary Dealer, value of real estate $3,000, value of personal estate $2,000, born New York
Yates, Harriet: Age 52, Keeping House, born New York
Yates, Martin H.: Age 15, Telegraph Operator, born California
Wiffin, Josephine: Age 8, born California, father foreign born, mother foreign born (not known who this girl is)
Martin Huffman Yates:
Written on back of picture is “Mat H. Yates”
Pomeroy’s Photographic Rooms, 342 First Street, San Jose
Nov 20, 1870: Letter from Josephine Denis (Josephine Cecille Des Granges, age 12) to her Grandmother Marie Rose (Bailey) Haine:
San Francisco, November 20th 1870
My Dear GrandMother,
I hope this letter will find you in good health as well as my Uncles and Aunts, and all the family.
For us, we are all well. My Aunt George is as well as it can be expected. My father bought a house in the country, at the end of this letter I give you our adress. It is not bad, far from the city, we will be moving in, in two or three weeks. I am sending you a picture of myself with the dog. I wish you a good health and a good year. Also my wishes to my Aunts, Uncles and the all family.
We sold the shop to a man from Brittany.
All of you have to come and visit with us in California, the weather is beautiful and it is warm.
Your dearest granddaughter who send you her kisses and love to the all family. Happy new year Good health.
Josephine Denis
Our adress:
Mayfield
c/o Mrs Mouchet
for Mrs Denis
San Francisco California
Translator’s note: “As you can see by this little letter, the Denises had a business of some sort.”
Note: They ran a bakery. It appears Josephine is using the last name of Denis rather than Des Granges.
Feb 25, 1871: Death of Harriet (Barton) Yates (age 52-53), mother of Martin Huffman Yates, in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
Feb 27, 1871: Burial of Harriet (Barton) Yates in Oak Hil Memorial Park in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California; Block 2, Sec E, Lot 4, Grave 2
Aug 21, 1872: Death of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr. (age 63), father of Martin Huffman Yates, in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
Aug 23, 1872: Burial of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr., Oak Hil Memorial Park in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California; Block 2, Sec E, Lot 4, Grave 6
1873: U.S. City Directory for San Francisco, California (pg 659):
Name Martin Yates
Residence Year 1873
Office Street Address 639 Market, dwelling 1 Vernon Pl
Residence Place San Francisco, California, USA
Occupation Operator for Southern Pacific RR Co.
Publication Title San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1873
Dec 26, 1874: Marriage of Martin Huffman Yates & Josephine Cecille Des Granges, Redwood City, San Mateo Co., California; Martin was about 19 years of age, Josephine was age 16. They both lived in Mayfield, Santa Clara Co., California
Sep 30, 1875: Birth of Alice Josephine Yates, 1st of 3 children of Martin Huffman Yates & Josephine Cecille Des Granges, in San Francisco, California
Feb 5, 1876: Baptismal Certificate for Alice Josephine Yates:
Oct 4, 1876: California Voter Registrations, San Francisco, California, Ninth Ward (pg 53):
Name: Martin Huffman Yates
Age: 21
Birth Year: 1855 (age 21)
Birth Place: California
Occupation: Clerk
Residence Year: 1876
Residence Address: 541 Fourth
Residence Place: San Francisco, California
1876: Martin Huffman Yates, age 21, taken at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania held from May 10 to Nov 10:
Josephine Cecille (Des Granges) Yates:
1877: Alice Josephine Yates (age 2), 1st of 3 children of Martin Huffman Yates & Josephine Cecille Des Granges:
Jun 24, 1878: Birth of Martin Loweree “Matthew/Mat” Yates, 2nd of 3 children of Martin Huffman Yates & Josephine Cecille Des Granges, in Mayfield (now Palo Alto), Santa Clara Co., California
1878: California Voter Registrations, San Francisco, California
Name: Martin Huffman Yates
Birth Year: 1855
Birth Place: California
Occupation: Clerk
Residence Place: 44 1/2 Brannan, San Francisco, California
Circa 1879/80: Extract of a letter from Josephine Cecille (Des Granges) Yates to her mother (Rose Haine Des Granges/Denis):
……. my white petticoat, two baby’s dresses, the (skirt or tail) that Mrs Wilson gave me. Matt’s flannel shirt. two forks. two knives. two spoons. You will find all those things in the trunk. Put them in the potato sack because I have no room in my trunk right now. I may go to Mayfield, in one month or six weeks…… for my sewing machine, because I need to saw for the baby. Pay Mr Barsby???? and I will pay you when I arrive. All my compliments to Mr Descombes and everyone. Send me all the things I am asking for as soon as possible because we are in need of them. I will be writing once a week. I am ending my letter by sending you my love.
Your daughter who loves you
Josephine Yates
Please write soon.
Translator’s notes: “P.S. I could not decyphers some of the words. I had to leave some blanks. Who was Matt??? Josephine Yates’ husband or a child?”
Note: Matt is Josephine’s husband, Martin Huffman Yates
May 26, 1880: Letter from Martin Huffman Yates to his wife Josephine (Josie) (pg 1&2):
Jun 10, 1880: U.S. Federal Census, San Francisco, California:
Yates, Martin H: age 25, Clerk, born California, father born New York, mother born New York (Martin Huffman Yates)
Yates, Josephine: age 22, wife, keeping house, born Pennsylvania, father born France, mother born Lorraine
Yates, Alice: age 4, daughter, born California, father born California, mother born Pennsylvania
Yates, Martin W: age 2, son, born California, father born California, mother born Pennsylvania (Martin Loweree “Matt” Yates)
Sep 2, 1880: Voter Registration:
Martin Huffman Yates
Age 25
1007 Natoma, San Francisco, California, United States
1882: San Francisco Directory, San Francisco, California (pg 998):
Yates Martin H., clerk auditor S.P. RR., r. Alameda (Southern Pacific Railroad)
Jul 5, 1884: Birth of Josephine Marie Yates, 3rd of 3 children of Martin Huffman Yates & Josephine Cecille Des Granges, in San Francisco, California
Jul 5, 1884: Death of Josephine Marie Yates (died at birth), 3rd of 3 children of Martin Huffman Yates & Josephine Cecille Des Granges, in San Francisco, California
Jul 7, 1884: Burial of Josephine Marie Yates, Oddfellows Cemetery in San Francisco, California
Note: bet 1931-1933: body removed to Greenlawn Memorial Park in Colma, San Mateo Co., California
Jul 5, 1884: Death of Josephine Cecille Des Granges (age 26), the daughter of the Marquise Auguste Des Granges & Marie Rose Haine and wife of Martin Huffman Yates, in San Francisco, California; in childbirth with 3rd child, Josephine Marie Yates
Jul 7, 1884: Burial of Josephine Cecille Des Granges, Oddfellows Cemetery in San Francisco, California
Reinterred: Josephine’s body was removed between 1931 and 1933 to Greenlawn Memorial Park in Colma, San Mateo Co., California. In 1903, 26,000 bodies from Oddfellows Cemetery were moved to Greenlawn.
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Sep 29, 1890: Marriage of Edmond Pierre/Peter Clement & Alice Josephine Yates, 1st of 3 children of Martin Huffman Yates & Josephine Cecille Des Granges (her 1st marriage), in San Francisco, California
note: Edmond is 37, Alice is a day short of age 15
Two children:
1. Roy Leavitt Clement [later took the name of Kellogg]
1892 – 1959
2. Edna Marguerite Clement [later took the name of Kellogg]
1896 – 1983
From the notes of Roy Leavitt Clement [Kellogg] (Grandson of Edmond Pierre/Peter Clement & Alice Josephine Yates):
“Alice Yates was not quite 16 (note: 15) years of age when she married Edmond Clement in 1890. This union did not last long. Edmond was a fine fellow and provider but knew every Irishman in San Francisco and attended every wake. Wakes in those days usually turned out to be all night drinking parties. Edmond once said he would rather lose an arm than to miss an Irish wake. Because there were too many Irishmen dying and one Frenchman who couldn’t resist being present and stay home, this marriage broke up.
Apr 16, 1892: Birth of Roy Leavitt Clement, 1st of 2 children of Alice Josephine Yates & Edmond Pierre/Peter Clement, San Francisco, California
Oct 11, 1892: California Voter Registrations, San Francisco, California, 45th Assembly District:
Name: Martin Huffman Yates
Age: 37
Height: 5′ 5¼ inches
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown
Birth Year: abt 1855
Nativity: California
Occupation: Musician
Residence Year: 1892
Residence Address: 816 Sansome, 2nd floor, room 14
Residence Place: San Francisco, California
Feb 11, 1893: Death of Chapman Leavitt “Brett” Yates, Jr. (age 56), older brother of Martin Huffman Yates, in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California; dropsy
Note: Dropsy is a condition rather than a disease: morbid accumulation of fluid and edema in tissues and cavity
Feb 12, 1893: Burial of Chapman Leavitt “Brett” Yates, Jr., at Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California; Block 2, Sec E, Lot 4, Grave 3
circa 1895: Alice Josephine (Yates) Clement (at age 20 according to photo):
Circa 1896: Divorce of Alice Josephine Yates & Edmond Peter Clement, San Francisco, California
Feb 25, 1896: Birth of Edna Marguerite Clement, 2nd of two children of Alice Josephine Yates & Edmond Pierre/Peter Clement, in Downey, Los Angeles Co., California
Apr 15, 1896: Marriage of Milo Bailey Kellogg & Alice Josephine (Yates) Clement, 1st of 3 children of Martin Huffman Yates & Josephine Cecille Des Granges San Francisco, California; her 2nd marriage
note: Alice is age 21 and Milo 53; her son Roy Leavitt Clement is a day short of age 4, her daughter Edna Marguerite Clement is two months old
Two children:
1. Leo Yates Kellogg
1898 – 1952
2. Milo Martin Kellogg
1903 – 1918
From the notes of Karen (Farcy):
Upon divorcing Edmond Clement, Alice did some small acting parts in the old CA Stock Company, travelling with her father who was playing the piano with them at that time. She later married Milo Kellogg from Idaho, who was her father’s best friend. He was 30 years older than she. They had two children, Leo and Milo Jr. (who died as a boy). Leo died in 1956.
Note: Leo Yates Kellogg died in 1952; Martin Huffman Yates, Sr. is the father of Alice Josephine (Yates) Clement Kellogg
1896: From San Francisco to Fresno: It appears about this time Martin Huffman Yates and his daughter Alice Josephine (Yates) Clement Kellogg, now married to Milo Baily Kellogg, moved from San Francisco to the Fresno area in central California.
1896: The French Hotel in Sanger, Fresno Co., California: Alice Josephine (Yates) Clement Kellogg, standing and holding infant daughter Edna Marguerite Clement; at the right is her new husband, Milo Bailey Kellogg seated, with her son Roy Leavitt Clement leaning at his side.
Jul 14, 1896: Voter Registration:
Martin Huffman Yates
Age 41
Cor E And Kern, Fresno, California, United States
Fresno, Fresno, California, United States
Jul 14, 1896: The Great Register of Fresno County Voter Registers (pg 160):
Name Martin Huffaman Yates (Martin Huffman Yates)
Occupation: Printer
Age 41 years
5 foot, 7 inches
Light Complexion
Blue Eyes
Brown Hair
Birthplace California
Nationality California
Event Type Voter Registration
Event Date from 1896 to 1900
Event Place Sanger #2, Fresno Co., California, United States
Event Place (Original) Sanger, Fresno Co., California, United States
Precinct Sanger
May 25, 1898: Birth of Leo Yates Kellogg, 1st of 2 children of Alice Josephine (Yates) Clement & Milo Bailey Kellogg, Seattle, King Co., Washington
1898: Fresno City & County Directory, Fresno, Fresno Co., California (pg 190):
Yates, Martin, printer, rms 1421 J
Feb 26, 1898: Death of Martin Huffman Yates (age 42), son of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr. & Harriet Barton and husband of Josephine Cecille Des Granges, in Fresno, Fresno Co., California; consumption
Feb 26, 1898: California Death Index (Vol 1, pg 86):
Name M H Yates (Martin Huffman Yates)
Death Date 26 Feb 1898
Death Place Fresno, California, USA
1898: The Fresno Republican, Fresno, Fresno Co., California:
Feb 28, 1898: Burial of Martin Huffman Yates, Fresno County Cemetery #1 (Potters Fields/indigents), in Fresno, Fresno Co., California
Fresno County Cemeteries #1 and #2 (Potters Fields/indigents burial list 1888 – 2018)
Name: Yates, W H (Martin Huffman Yates)
Age: 42
Burial Date: Feb 28, 1898
Tract: Co 1
Mortuary: Stephens & Bean
Fresno County Cemeteries #1 looking East from Veterans Liberty Cemetery:
Feb 28, 1903: Birth of Milo Martin Kellogg, 2nd of 2 children of Alice Josephine Yates & Milo Bailey Kellogg, in California
Apr 27, 1910: U.S. Federal Census, Hartford, Snohomish Co., Washington:
Kellogg, Milo B.: Head, age 65, married 2, married 13 years, born New York, father born United States, mother born United States, laborer in woods
Kellogg, Alice J.: Wife, age 34, married 2, married 13 years, 4 children born, four children living, born California, father born California, mother born Phil, Pennsylvania
Clement, Edna M.: Step Daughter, age 14, single, born California, father born France, mother born California
Kellogg, Leo Y.: Son, age 12, born Washington, father born New York, mother born California
Kellogg, Milo M.: Son, age 7, born California, father born New York, mother born California
Smith, Marjorie: Daughter, age 30, married 1, 2 children born, 2 children living, born Kansas, father born New York, mother born Pennsylvania
Smith, Lucy E.: Grand Daughter, age 9, born Michigan, father born New York, mother born Kansas
Smith, Carrie M.: Grand Daughter, age 7, born Michigan, father born New York, mother born Kansas
Note: indexed as Mils B. Kellogg
Sep 12, 1918: World War I Draft Registration Card, 1917-1918:
NAME: Matthew Loweree Yates (son of Martin Huffman Yates & Josephine Cecille Des Granges)
CITY: Alvarado
COUNTY: Alameda
STATE: California
AGE: 40
BIRTH DATE: June 24, 1878
RACE: Caucasian (White)
OCCUPATION: Laborer R.R.
EMPLOYER’S NAME: Southern Pacific R.R.
PLACE OF BUSINESS: Alvarado, Alameda, California
NEAREST RELATIVE: Alice Kellogg (sister)
ADDRESS: Portland, Oregon
DESCRIPTION: Short, Slender Build, Brown Eyes, Black Hair
Note: On the original document he signed “Matthew Loweree Yates;” he later uses Matthew, Matt, and Mat
Jan 2, 1920: U.S. Federal Census for Denverton, Solano Co., California:
Selson, H: Head, age 69, married, born New York, father born Alsace (France) mother born Berlin, stage driver, U.S. mail
Yates, Mat: Servant, age 41, single, born California, father born California, mother born Pennsylvania, laborer on general farm (son of Martin Huffman Yates & Josephine Cecille Des Granges)
Nov 6, 1928: California Voter Registrations, Occidental, Sonoma Co., California:
Yates, Mat L, Laborer, Occidental, Soc (Socialist)
1942: World War II Draft Registration Card:
NAME: Matthew Lawree Yates
PLACE OF RESIDENCE: Tomales, Marin County (California)
MAILING ADDRESS: Box 53, Tomales Cal.
AGE IN YEARS: 63
BIRTH PLACE: Palo Alto, Calif
BIRTH DATE: June 24, 1878
PERSON WHO WILL ALWAYS KNOW YOUR ADDRESS: John Poncia, Tomales
PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Tomales, Cal
Note: Signed “Matthew Lawree Yates” w/spelling of Lawree different than reflected in WWI registration
Aug 24, 1942: Death of Martin Loweree/Lawree “Matthew/Mat” Yates (age 64), 2nd of 3 children of Martin Huffman Yates & Josephine Cecille Des Granges, in, Sacramento Co., California
Oct 15, 1959: Death of Alice Josephine (Yates) Clement Kellogg (age 84), at the Laguna Honda Home in San Francisco, California; of hyperthermia (heat stroke), vascular thrombosis, arteriosclerosis
(1st of 3 children of Martin Huffman Yates, Sr. & Josephine Cecille Des Granges; 1st marriage Edmond Peter Clement, 2nd marriage Milo Bailey Kellogg)
Oct 19, 1959: Burial of Alice Josephine (Yates) Clement Kellogg, Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, San Mateo Co., California
No headstone, Sec R3 Row 12 Grave 25
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Written by Karen Kellogg Farcy:
Sometime about 1874, Martin Yates, a young telegrapher stationed at the Southern Pacific Railroad depot, from San Jose, married Josephine Des Granges. They had three children, Alice 9/30/1875, Martin Jr. (birth date unknown) and Josephine Maria, who died with her mother Josephine during childbirth. She and her mother were buried in the old I.O.O.F. (Oddfellows Cemetery) cemetery in San Francisco. Martin never remarried. He had a struggle keeping a home for the two children. Martin Jr. disappeared as a young man and was never heard from again. It was thought that he went travelling with JACK LONDON. His sister, (Alice Yates/Clement/Kellogg) paid out money for years, looking for him, even when I was a child.
Yates Family History, by Roy Leavitt Clement [Kellogg]
In 1841, Chapman Yates and Harriet Barton Yates left Utica, New York for White Pigeon, Michigan where he opened a drug store in 1842. In 1849, Chapman Yates Sr., with his wife Harriet and young son, Chapman, Jr., set out for California. The events of this trip were told to my mother by her Uncle Chapman Jr. In many places the trail was clearly marked by the white bleached bones of the oxen from the parties that had passed that way before them. Harriett gave birth to a child on the trip and the child died and the entire company of the wagon train attended the funeral. She was buried on the prairie beside the trail and the grave was marked with a cross made from a single tree found on the trail. Harriet Yates never fully recovered from the hardships of the trip and being in a very weakened condition, Chapman Yates paid as high as $1.00 for an egg and as much as 50 cents for a glass of safe water. Safe water free from alkali was hard to get.
Water holes, partly dried creeks, furnished water to the train most of the time until the mountains were reached. They followed the Emigrant trail to Sacramento, arriving sometime in 1850. After a short stay in Sacramento during one of the great floods the family moved to San Jose, I believe it was in 1851. Chapman Yates and his son opened a printing shop in San Jose (an old picture in the San Jose Mercury of June 20, 1941, shows that the printing shop was operating as late as 1865.)
Chapman Sr. served on the city council and also as postmaster of San Jose. He also served as treasurer of Santa Clara County. Mother tells me that while serving on the city council, he and another member, she thinks the name was Quimbley, fought for the purchase of the land the park and city hall now occupies. The price was considered too high by other members. They were successful and the civic center was purchased for 300 or 400 dollars. Once when serving as postmaster, a group of men wanted their man appointed postmaster, so one of them was sent to Washington. Strings were pulled and lies were told and an attempt was made to blacken his character. When news of what was going on at the National Capitol reached San Jose, churches of all faiths, lodges business groups and even the Mexican population came to his defense and the roar was heard in Washington. Chapman Yates continued to serve as the postmaster of San Jose.
Thirteen children were born to Chapman and Harriet Yates in California. Only one of them lived to maturity, Martin Yates, my mother’s father. Chapman Yates taught both his boys to type set, Chapman Jr. is known to his fellow printers in San Jose as Brett, started the first give away or free newspaper in San Jose, known as the Saturday Advertiser.
Martin went to Santa Clara College. He had nothing but praise for his instructors, the priests who were of a different faith than his. He often said that if one showed a desire to learn, they would help at any time, even after classes. This was over 90 years ago. He also hunted pigeons in the Santa Cruz mountains. Martin found type setting that his father taught him to come in handy in later years. Reading and writing Spanish he later set type for a Spanish newspaper from English into Spanish. Just before his death, he was preparing to go to Mexico City to take charge of a paper there.
He studied telegraphy when a boy as a hobby. Later he was offered the position as station master at Mayfield, by the Southern Pacific R.R. He married Josephine Des Granges there and they lived with her mother, Marie Rose. A daughter, (my mother) Alice was born September 30, 1875 and a son, Martin, a couple of years later. Martin Sr. was transferred to San Francisco as telegrapher, stationed at Third and Townsend Sts. While there a third was child born. Josephine Yates died from childbirth and little Josephine died soon after. [July 5, 1884]. Both were buried in the old Odd Fellows cemetery in San Francisco.
S.P. Railway Station, Mayfield:
After the death of his wife, he tried to raise his two children but did not take much interest in his work. He never worked steady after that. For a while he played piano, set type and founded the key of the telegraph. He finally secured a job setting type for a Spanish newspaper, translating English into Spanish as he set the type. He also spoke and wrote German. His big break came when he was offered the management of a paper in Mexico City. Death came while he was preparing for the trip.
He died in Fresno, I think it was in 1898. I was then six years old but I remember him and I remember his playing for me. We were very close to each other.
Written by Roy Leavitt (Clement) Kellogg – Grandma Kellogg’s son.
Note: Contributed by Gerry & Kathy Sevenau
From the files of David Farcy, 1998:
Martin Yates Sr. worked at typesetting and played piano for a living at times. He spoke Spanish, French and German well. He was on his way to work on/at a Mexican paper when he died in Fresno in 1898. Dates of marriages and deaths can be found in records of Santa Clara County.
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History of Odd Fellows Cemetery
Dates of existence: 1854 to 1923 (though bodies were moved after that)
Location: App. 27 acres between Geary and Turk St, Parker Ave and Arguello Blvd in San Francisco
Number interred: 26,000 (no individual headstones or markers remaining)
1929: Cemetery moved to Greenlawn Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo County, California
In the early 1850s, land was purchased in the Lone Mountain-Laurel Heights area where four large cemeteries were later created, known as the “Big Four”, these cemeteries consisted of: Laurel Hill in 1854, Calvary, the Catholic cemetery in 1860, the Masonic Cemetery in 1864, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery in 1865.
From the 1920s to the 1940s, these cemeteries were moved to Colma, the cemetery city south of San Francisco. Due to health concerns the cemeteries were created far from the city. Influenced by the grand Victorian cemeteries created in England and back East, the cemeteries were created in park-like settings.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows built their own cemetery in 1865 on 30 acres bounded by Geary, Turk, Parker and Arguello streets. The Columbarium at the entrance was completed in 1898 as a memorial repository for cremated remains.
The cry, “Remove the cemeteries!” began in the 1880s, raised chiefly by property owners in the area and by those who thought the cemeteries discouraged development nearby. The grounds of the cemeteries deteriorated and became a haven for pranksters, juvenile delinquents, and ghouls. By 1900, most of the graveyards had been filled. In 1902, the Board of Supervisors enacted an ordinance prohibiting further burials within the city and outlawing the sale of cemetery lots in the “Big Four.” Henceforth, only cremation and burial of cremated remains were permitted. As further deterioration occurred and only perpetual-care lots could be maintained, the “Big Four” purchased new cemetery property in Colma.
Later in 1923, the Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance requiring the removal of bodies from the Masonic and Odd Fellow Cemeteries. Litigation followed, but the removal began in 1929. It took six years to remove 26,000 Odd Fellows remains to Greenlawn Memorial Park in Colma, and more than 40,000 bodies were removed from Masonic Cemetery to Woodlawn.
Most death records were destroyed in the earthquake and fires of April 1906. Some books of records still exist with the State Registrar of Vital Statistics in Sacramento, California.
Source: Encyclopedia of San Francisco History: www.sfhistoryencyclopedia.com/articles/c/cemeteries.html
Oddfellows Columbarium, San Francisco
The Columbarium was once part of the Odd Fellows Cemetery, which encompassed approximately 167 acres. It was built to complement an existing crematorium designed by Cahill in 1895.
In 1902 the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance to prohibit the sale of cemetery lots or permit any further burials within the city. By late 1910, cremation was also prohibited. The Odd Fellows, forced to abandon their cemetery, established Green Lawn Cemetery in Colma. Transfer of bodies began in 1929 and many families also chose to remove their urns from the Columbarium. The crematorium and various mausoleums were demolished, and many of the headstones were used to build a seawall at Aquatic Park. Only the Columbarium remained.
After a time, The Columbarium was sold to the Bay Cities Cemetery Association and later to Cypress Abbey. As it passed from one organization to another it fell into disrepair. In 1980, the Neptune Society of Northern California bought it and began restoration.
In 1996, the building was added to the register of San Francisco Landmarks.
Source: Wikipedia
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HISTORY OF CEMETERIES IN AND AROUND SAN FRANCISCO
Up to 1850: Vacant lots were used to bury bodies or they were left on the beach or under a bush.
1850: City designated 15 acres, one mile out on Market Street, named Yerba Buena (lasted 20 yrs).
1852: An informal burial ground at Second and Market St was closed and the bodies moved to Yerba Buena.
1854: City itself reaching the Yerba Buena Cemetery, so Lone Mountain Cemetery was established, a safe three miles west of downtown. It was later renamed Laurel Hill.
1860: Catholics established the Calvary Cemetery to the east of Lone Mountain.
1864: Masonic Cemetery established to the south of Lone Mountain.
1865: Odd Fellows Cemetery established to the west of Lone Mountain. Lone Mountain was then surrounded on all sides by burial grounds that were called the Big Four.
1865: Jews moved their bodies from Cow Hollow to two cemeteries near Mission Dolores.
1868: City purchased 200 acres for new cemetery on bluffs above Land’s End.
1870: Three thousand bodies were removed from Yerba Buena to the New Golden Gate Cemetery.
1870: Yerba Buena became more of Market Street. (Lone Mountain cemeteries were not safe either).
1860s – 1870s: Western addition filled Italian row. Laurel Hill was twice reduced for new building sites.
1880: City prohibited further burials in the Mission Delores and Jewish Cemeteries.
1887: Catholics established Holy Cross as the first cemetery in Colma, south of the City Line.
1892: Nondenominational cemetery, Cypress Lawn, established between the above two cemeteries by prominent San Francisco businessmen.
1901: City Supervisors outlawed further burial in city limits.
1909: Supervisors secured consent to use Golden Gate Cemetery as a park. Mausoleums and tombstones were removed and dumped down a convenient ravine at Lands’ end. Those bodies not removed were carpeted with the Lincoln Park Golf Course.
1914: Supervisors ordered ALL bodies out of the City. Masonic Cemetery purchased for the University of San Francisco. Odd Fellows was vacated. Calvary and Laurel Hill resisted, but with no income, both reverted to sand and scrub. The vaults were vandalized and the mausoleums occupied by tramps.
1920s: Masonic Cemetery purchased for the University of San Francisco. Odd Fellows was vacated. Calvary and Laurel Hill resisted, but with no income, both reverted to sand and scrub. The vaults were vandalized and the mausoleums occupied by tramps.
1937: Supervisors again demanded bodies be evacuated and voters upheld the decision.
1939: Exhumation began and stopped because of war.
1948: Task completed. WPA records show Charles Harney, contractor (who later built Candlestick Park) was paid 80 cents a ton to dump walls, crypts, and markers into the Bay, later to become the Marina Yacht Harbor jetty. Other smashed tombstones made fine retaining walls in Buena Vista Park. Calvary Cemetery was covered by a Sears Building, a Kaiser Hospital, and housing. Laurel Hill was covered by more housing, a shopping center and the Fireman’s Fund building.
TODAY: Only two small cemeteries remain inside the city limits: Mission Dolores and Presidio. Colma is the final resting place for 1.5 million San Franciscans. Cypress Lawn is a mass grave for 35,000 nameless pioneers removed from Laurel Hill. There are eighteen cemeteries in Colma.
Source: The Root Digger Quarterly, Vol. 11, No.3, Fall 1992 (pgs 57 & 58)
Reprinted from article in “San Louis Obispo Co. Genealogical Society Quarterly,” Winter 1990, by Jo Rivard
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Carte de Visite (CdV)
Courtesy of City Gallery
Description
The carte de visite is easily recognized by the small card on which the photograph is mounted. In this format, a small paper photographic print is mounted on a commercially produced card. The carte de visite (commonly abbreviated to CdV) today is not a rare item, being produced by the millions in the nineteenth century.
The CdV image and card stock were both made to a standard size. The dimensions of the standard carte de visite mounting card were 2 1/2 x 4 inches. The standard dimensions of the CdV photograph (the image or print itself) were 2 1/8 x 3 1/2 inches.
Timeline
Introduced. In November of 1854, the French photographer A.A. Disderi introduced a method for producing multiple images on a single glass plate, a format for mounting the resulting images on card stock and the name “carte de visite” to describe the product. Examples of cartes de visite before 1858 are extremely rare and are unlikely to be encountered outside of museums. The carte de visite began appearing in the United States late in the summer of 1859. By the end of 1860 the carte de visite had become the fashion throughout the country.
Peak. The height of the “carte craze” was the period 1860-1866, which included the photography boom that occurred during the American civil war. The early 1860s period saw the first commercial photographic albums (the carte album), which began to grace ordinary middle class parlors. By 1864, a family would have to be poor indeed to not own a carte de visite album.
Waned. Starting in 1866, the cabinet card began to erode the position held by the carte de visite. Carte production waned from 1870 to the late 1880s when they all but disappeared from the scene.
Last Used. Cartes were, however, produced after 1900, perhaps to 1906 or perhaps in limited numbers to 1920 (unused card stock dating to the turn of the nineteenth-century can still be purchased from dealers in antique photographica).
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2023. Researched and compiled by Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau, with contributions of cousins, kin, and fellow researchers. Photographs were contributed by Margaret Beatrice (Kellogg) Andersen, the daughter of Leo Yates Kellogg & Ida May McKay, and from the album of Edmond Pierre Clement, contributed by Paul Denis Clement, great-grandson of Edmond Pierre/Peter Clement & Catherine/Katherine Costello, and from Donna Warren and Patricia Barton
Note: The cemetery headstone photos from Find A Grave contained herein are the property of those who photographed them.
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