Caroline Kolmer, c. 1855
Josephine Kolmer Benitz collection
(Last updated: Wednesday May 06, 2009)
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Caroline Kolmer, c. 1855 Josephine Kolmer Benitz collection |
Caroline Kolmer was born in North Carolina (USA), 31 December, 1838. She was the third child of Michael & Josephine Kolmer who had emigrated from Endingen, Baden, Germany, in 1833. In about 1841 the family moved to Missouri. Four years later they crossed the plains, arriving at Sutter's Fort in Sacramento, California, in October, 1845. Sometime in early 1846, Caroline's older sister, Josephine, married Wilhelm Benitz of Fort Ross, California. At about that time the Kolmer family settled in a valley that still bears their name (anglicized to Coleman) south-west of present day Occidental, California. In 1850 or 1851, the Kolmer family moved again, to a farm at Timber Cove given them by their son-in-law. On the northern edge of Benitz's property, it was close to Fort Ross. This is where they were living at the time of Caroline's impulsive marriage.
Two months shy of her 17th birthday Caroline unexpectedly married William (Dutch Bill) Howard on 3 October, 1855. Her sudden decision and choice of husband infuriated her father for, by all accounts, Dutch Bill was a colorful character. He was not Dutch but Danish and his name was not his but that of the captain of the ship he had deserted. He was born Christopher Thomas Folkmann on October 23, 1823, on the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. He was 32 years old at the time their wedding.
In his "auto-biography" (see below) Dutch Bill claims they were married at the home of Alexander Duncan, Salt Point, California - which would place them in Salt Point Township. However the county records show they were married in Bodega Township - the township in which his farm was located. The biography of Caroline's nephew, Alfred Benitz, doesn't say which township but it depicts a more likely scenario in which they were married at a town hall spontaneously and without her father's permission by a traveling minister (see below).
A former seaman and miner, Dutch Bill owned a farm he'd bought in 1850 on shares with a partner, Charles Roamer, next to the settlement that later became Occidental. In fact, he was one of two founders of that village, which for a time was known as Howard's Station. We strongly recommend you visit the Occidental web-site for a fascinating account of his activities. During the late 1860's and early 1870's their Benitz nephews would come for extended visits at the farm. According to Alfred Benitz's biography, it took them several changes of train and coach to reach Howard's Station from Oakland.
William and Caroline had 9 children, all living with them in 1880. A family tree and list of descendants is available below. Caroline died at the age of 43 in June, 1882. Dutch Bill lived another seventeen years. He remarried, lost his farm due to financial reverses and became a musician in San Francisco - where he died at age 67 in 1899.
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William Howard (1823) - Caroline Kolmer (1838) Vital Records |
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Marriage, 5th of October, 1855 Bodega Township, Sonoma County Source: Sonoma County Recorder's Office, Santa Rosa, California, USA.(Note: Caroline's maiden name of Colmen) |
Impulsive Proposal & Marriage
The following excerpt is taken from the biography of Alfred Benitz, nephew of Caroline Kolmer: "Alfred Benitz: Pioneer, Sportsman and Gentleman", ghost-written by Lillian Marsh-Simpson, published by Olga Benitz, "La California", Argentina, 1952, pages 28-30.
Late in the year 1857, Mrs. Benitz' father, Michael Kolmer, died after several years of a steady bout with the demon Rum, which ruined his health and ate up his fortune. One of the stories told about him at the time of his death was his refusal to forgive his daughter, Caroline, for the unorthodox manner of her marriage. The story of some interest in itself as it illustrates one of the "mores" of frontier life.
When Caroline took the step that enraged her father, there were no resident clergymen in California, or in the rural districts, at least, and it was an important social event when one would make the long and difficult journey to the remote areas from the nearest large city to legalize the various unions that had occurred since the visit of the last minister. Prior to the visit of the minister, most marriages were formalized only by the mutual consent of the principals and had the sanction of neither law nor church. When the news spread that a minister was en route, all the newly-weds were collected in the most accessible town-hall for a mass ceremony, which invariably was made the occasion for feasting and dancing.
Such a collective ceremony duly came to pass at Sonoma, and of course everyone for miles around went to the party, including William and Josephine Benitz who took Caroline with them. At the end of the evening, the minister made a speech in which he thanked all members of the community for their hospitality, and particularly thanked the new bridegrooms for their generosity in the matter of fees. In fact, he said, he was so impressed by this generosity that he offered then and there to marry free any other young couple who cared to step forward.
At this, William Howard, one of the young swain of the neighborhood who had been seeing quite a bit of Caroline, approached her and murmured into her ear. She said yes, so they were married on the spot, using one of the rings from the platform curtain as a wedding ring.
It was this entirely unforeseen marriage that caused Michael Kolmer to fly into a rage. When he heard the news, he rushed to Caroline's room, tossed all her furniture and clothes into the yard where he made a bonfire of them and vowed that he would never see or speak to his daughter again. He kept this harsh vow for several years, but eventually relaxed it enough to seek Caroline and speak to her, but he never did completely forgive her.
William Howard: "Auto" Biography
(1823-living in 1880)
The following biographical note is taken from: "History of Sonoma County", by J. P. Munro-Fraser, published by Alley, Bowen & Co, San Francisco, 1880, pages 491-494. It appears the author took down Dutch Bill's account almost verbatim. As noted above, for a more accurate record of his activities, please see the Occidental web-site. In the following text we have highlighted names and inserted paragraph breaks to make it easier to read on the web.
Howard, William. This pioneer, whose portrait appears in this work, was born on the island of
Bornholm [Denmark], in the Baltic Sea, October 23, 1823. He received a limited education
in the common schools of his country in his early youth.
He began his career as a sailor at the age of thirteen, on board the Danish brig "Cecilia," then engaged in seal fishing on the coast of Greenland. One voyage, though a successful one, cured him of all longings he may have entertained for this kind of adventure. Shortly after his return, he shipped on board the Danish bark "Concordia," at Copenhagen, bound for a whaling cruise in the north-western sea. The voyage consumed about two years.
At the age of sixteen Mr. Howard engaged as a seaman on board an American ship at Elsinor, bound for Boston, United States. They touched at Turks Island, where they found the American brig "Norman," from the coast of Africa, homeward bound, in distress, having lost all her crew, of African fever, the captain and mate being the only survivors. Mr. Howard volunteered to assist in working the brig to New York. They sailed from Turks Island with a crew consisting of five, all told. The captain (who was convalescent from the fever), the mate, Mr. Howard, and two negroes, one employed as cook, by almost superhuman efforts, this small crew managed to sight the Sandy Hook lights, where they received on board a pilot.
Before reaching New York harbor they encountered a heavy north-wester that drove them out to sea; they were driven about for four days. A little before daylight of the fifth day of the storm the brig went ashore on Barnegat. The day previous to their going ashore one of the negroes died from exposure. Mr. Howard sewed his remains up in canvass, preparatory to consigning them to a watery grave. When the vessel struck they found they were on a sandy coast. The pilot and captain went ashore in the "dingy," the mate and Mr. Howard commenced preparing to follow in the long-boat. While gathering the ship's papers and instruments the surf, which was constantly increasing lifted the stern of the long-boat from the davits. This mishap rendered it necessary to jump in and cut loose the bow at once. They had hardly cleared the brig when their boat was swamped. This was the last that Mr. Howard knew until he found himself under the shelter of the long boat, where he had been placed by the mate, who had rescued him from the surf. That evening they were visited by a wrecker, who conducted them to his shanty where they were provided with such comforts as the place afforded. The mate and Mr. Howard returned to the vessel as soon as the storm had subsided sufficient to permit of their again venturing into the surf, and brought off the surviving negro, whom they were compelled to leave, also the corpse they had prepared to bury at sea. With the assistance of the wreckers, the brig was lightened and worked off the sand. Mr. Howard, in company with the mate, returned to the shore to collect such articles as they had left, and while thus engaged the brig was taken in tow by a tug, sent out for that purpose, leaving them on shore. Several days after they boarded a coaster bound for New York, but were again driven out to sea by adverse winds; they finally succeeded in reaching Staten Island.
Over-exertion and exposure proved too much for Mr. Howard. On reaching Staten Island he was taken down with lung fever, and went to the sailors' hospital. Not being favorably impressed with the management of the hospital he remained but two days; by representing himself much improved, he gained assent to his leaving, and went immediately to New York. He barely reached the city when he lost consciousness, and was conveyed to the city hospital, where his life was for a long time despaired of, but his constitution proved equal to the strain, and brought him through.
On recovering strength he entered the United States service, on board the receiving ship "North Carolina." He was transferred to the sloop-of-war "Preble," in 1844, then under orders to proceed to the African coast. Immediately on their arrival in African waters they were ordered up the river Besow to protect a Portuguese settlement from the natives. On reaching the settlement they found there was not sufficient sea-room for working the vessel. The guns of the "Preble" were transferred to an old hull lying in the river. This proved a disastrous move for the crew of the "Preble." But a day or two had elapsed when Mr. Howard and one other man were taken down with unmistakable symptoms of African fever. The surgeon ordered the sloop to vacate the river immediately. They sailed for the Cape de Verde Islands. Before reaching there between eighty and ninety of the officers and crew were taken down. Nearly twenty fell victims to the terrible disease, and as many more were sent home invalids. Mr. Howard in this case owed his life to the fact of being among the first to contract the disease, thereby receiving more favorable attention than could have been given a few days later.
At the expiration of his term of service he returned and re-entered the naval service, being assigned to the frigate "Columbia," bound for the Brazilian station. This proved a rather uneventful cruise. He was in Rio de Janeiro at the time of the arrest of two American officers and two sailors for a trivial offense. Through the intercession of Minister Wise all were soon released, but one seaman, who was kept in prison until the "Columbia" returned from a cruise to Buenos Ayres. On entering the port Mr. Wise ordered the "Columbia" to double-shot her guns and haul up within easy range of the town. This demonstration, taken in connection with a notice to release the American or prepare to receive the fire of the "Columbia," had the desired result, and the man was soon at liberty. This occurring just previous to the christening of Don Pedro the First, the American vessels were the only ones in port that refused to dress ship in honor of the event. Mr. Wise also declined to illuminate. These events, taken in connection with the Minister's remarks at the time of the christening (on board the "Columbia" of the daughter of a veteran of Palo Alta (born at sea), to whom Minister Wise stood godfather, that "he would rather stand godfather to an American soldier's child than to Don Pedro," resulted in Mr. Wise being called home. He took passage in the "Columbia.'' An idea may be formed of the impression Mr. Wise had made upon the crew of the " Columbia" by his course in Brazil, and his gentlemanly bearing while an honored passenger on board the "Columbia" frigate, when it is stated that the crew, who were ordered aloft to cheer when he went ashore at Norfolk, not only cheered with goodwill, but refused to desist when ordered, and even went so far in their endeavor to demonstrate their esteem for the gentleman that they threw their hats after him, thereby laying themselves liable to chastisement for violation of orders.
On reaching Norfolk Mr. Howard re-enlisted on board the sloop-of-war "St. Mary's," bound for the Pacific station. They anchored at Monterey, in 1848; from there they sailed to San Francisco bay, where the vessel remained until Mr. Howard quit the service. [Web note: "quit"? One way to put it, for details see the Occidental web-site.]
On leaving the navy he followed the course of all seekers after fortune, or adventure at that particular time, and went immediately to the gold mines of California. He followed mining for two Summers on Beaver creek and in Hangtown caņon, spending the Winter in Sonoma county. He was moderately successful in mining, but lost all he had accumulated in a cattle speculation. In 1850 Mr. Howard, in company with Charles Roamer (a countryman of his) settled on Government land, where he now resides. The two partners carried on the ranch, keeping bachelor quarters up to the year 1855, when Mr. Howard found in a young lady (Miss Caroline Kolmer) a more congenial partner.
Mr. Howard and Miss Kolmer were married at the residence of Alexander Duncan at Salt Point, October 3, 1855 [not likely, see above]. Mrs. Howard was born in North Carolina, December 31, 1838. She, with her parents, came to California in 1846 [correction: 1845]. They spent the first Winter at Sutter's Fort, near Sacramento; the following season went to Fort Ross; afterwards settled in Kolmer valley. In 1851 they moved to Timber Cove, where they resided at the time Mr. and Mrs. Howard were married.
On assuming his new relations he bought out his partner, who returned to Denmark. Mr. and Mrs. Howard have had the satisfaction of seeing the wilderness in which they commenced life together gradually settled and improved until a railroad passes through their farm, and a station, around which quite a village has sprung, bears Mr. Howard's name. They have been blessed with nine children all living, and who still reside with them. The following is a list of the children, with the dates of their birth: Elizabeth, born December 10, 1857; Charles, born April 13, 1859; Theodore, born July 11, 1861; Amelia, born May 31, 1863; Clara, born July 12, 1865; William, born January 24, 1868; Annie, born September 20, 1870; Emma, born December 31, 1873; Alfred, born December 21, 1877.
The following poesie was written by Lizzie in her cousin Josephine Benitz's poesie album (begun Dec. 25, 1867). At the time, they were 14 and 18 years old respectively. Click on the image to enlarge.
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To Josephine May'st thou ever be happy as now, Thy heart as light and free And may he who wins thy loving vow, Be ever worthy of thee. Your affectionate cousin Lizzie Howard May 14. 1871. |
| Source: Peter Benitz, from the collection of Silvia Ucko (granddaughter of Josephine's) | |
The following article was kindly provided to us by Steven and Catherine Howard. It recounts the life and doings of "Spud" Howard, the third child of William "Dutch Bill" Howard and Caroline Kolmer.
Santa Rosa, Calif., Sunday, July 29, 1951
PEOPLE OF THE EMPIRE
90-Year-Old Recalls Stage-Driving, Holdups
By Margaret Morrison, Staff Correspondent, Sonoma
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Click on the image to see full-size. |
UPPER LAKE - A real old-time celebrated his 90th birthday quietly at his home here last night.
Theodore Howard, known locally as "Spud", looks back on a lifetime in a profession that is no more. He was a stage driver, beginning as a young man and continuing until the automobile pushed the horse off the highways. Born in Occidental, "Spud" drove passenger stages on routes covering most of the territory from Santa Rosa to the coast and north as far as about half the trip between Ukiah and Willits. He recalls numerous holdups.
One trip took him from Cazadero up the coast as far as Greenwood, then through Anderson Valley and Ukiah. One one occasion he recalls being held up near Fort Ross. In throwing down the strong box, he let the Fort Ross mail sack slip down behind in an attempt to save it. The bandit then asked him to throw that particular sack down. Later, authorities were able to trace and catch this bandit from his knowledge of the mail sacks.
HOLDUPS apparently followed a more or less set routine. All passengers were lined up beside the stage, but the driver was allowed to take a place beside the horses and hold the lines in his hand. Money and valuables was taken from the men but never from the women. Once a woman cried out that she had only $30. The holdup man gallantly replied that he hoped he would never reach the point where he would rob a woman.
One winter Mr. Howard went to Idaho as a stage driver. Only it wasn't a stage, it was a sleigh. He soon returned to California, and about the turn of the century he purchased and ran the Pieta-Lakeport line, in partnership with a Fred Miller.
At that time, travelers came to Pieta by train or stage, transferred to the Howard-Miller stage and were driven to Lakeport. There they boarded a boat, also owned by the partners and were ferried over to Bartlett Landing, just west of the present town of Lucerne, and then took another stage, run by Jake Foster, up to Bartlett Springs. No wonder folks stayed a while when they got there! They tell us there used to be 500 people at a time over the entire season at Bartlett Springs.
SOON AUTOS began to make the trip and to cut into the business of stage lines, so about 1907 Mr. Howard sold his interest and purchased a livery stable at Upper Lake. The building is the one now occupied by the Corner Garage, at the corner of First and Main streets, and is one of the 3 business buildings to escape the fire which wiped out the business section of Upper Lake in 1915.
He ran the stable until 1915, when he rented out the front part to Harry Rhodes as a machine shop specializing in auto repair. He also put in gasoline pumps at the front of the building, though gasoline was still hauled in by horse. He made about 2 trips a week to Ukiah for the barrels of gasoline. For about 10 years more he kept horses in a small space at the back of the garage before giving in completely to the machine age.
In 1917 he married Elda Rasmussen of Upper Lake and they have had their home here ever since. One of 10 children, Theodore Howard still has 2 sisters and a brother living - Amelia Roix of Saratoga, Annie Adams of San Francisco and Alfred Howard of Yountville. None of them was able to be present for the birthday, which was celebrated quietly at home with neighbors coming for cake and ice cream and to talk over old times.
(click on to view enlarged in a new window)
[Note: We have used initials and year of birth for living persons - sadly necessary in these days of identity theft. We will provide the full tree to living members of this tree upon their request.]
1 Caroline Kolmer b: 31 December 1838, North Carolina, USA
d: June 1882
. + William Howard b: 23 October 1823, Bornholm Island, Baltic Sea, Denmark
m: 3 October 1855, Salt Point, Sonoma County, California, USA
[he re-married following Caroline's death]
d: 17 March 1899,San Francisco, California, USA
...... 2 Elizabeth Josephine Howard b: 10 December 1856, Occidental, Cal. USA
d: 13 February 1932, Santa Rosa, California, USA
.......... +James B. Williams b: 13 September 1853, Missouri, USA
m: 13 July 1881, Sonoma County, California, USA
d: 30 January 1926, Sonoma County, California, USA
.............. 3 Howard Benjamin Williams b: 25 June 1882, Occidental, Cal. USA
d: 13 May 1965, Santa Rosa, California, USA
.............. 3 William C. Williams b: Abt. 1885, California, USA
.................. + Hesler Hamilton b: 17 October 1884, California, USA
m: Abt. 1914
d: 25 September 1982, Alameda County, California, USA
.............. 3 Theodore L. Williams b: Abt. 1892, Washington, USA
...... 2 Charles Howard b: 13 April 1859
d: Bef. 1951
...... 2 Theodore "Spud" Howard b: 11 July 1861
d: 9 October 1956, Lake County, California, USA
.......... + Elda Rasmussen m: 1917
...... 2 Amelia Caroline Howard b: 31 May 1863, California, USA
d: 8 November 1952, Santa Clara, California, USA
.......... +James A. Roix b: Abt. 1853, Maine, USA
m: Abt. 1885
d: Bef. 1930
.............. 3 William A. Roix b: 12 September 1886, California, USA
d: 19 July 1967, San Francisco, California, USA
.................. + Mable Estelle Nichols b: 23 July 1887, California, USA
m: Abt. 1908
d: 13 February 1948, Marin County, California, USA
...................... 4 William James Roix b: 4 March 1915, California, USA
d: 30 June 1979, Sonoma County, California, USA
...................... 4 Jean C. Roix b: Abt. 1921, California, USA
.............. 3 Raymond J. Roix b: 3 January 1889, California, USA
d: 5 July 1976, Sonoma County, California, USA
.................. + Jessie Robinson b: 15 November 1887, California, USA
d: 8 March 1987, Marin County, California, USA
...... 2 Clara Howard b: 12 July 1865
d: Bef. 1951
...... 2 William C. Howard b: 24 January 1868
d: Bef. 1951
.......... + Teresa Franceschi b: Abt. 1869, Italy
m: 19 September 1893, Santa Rosa, California, USA
...... 2 Annie A. Howard b: 20 September 1870, California, USA
d: 27 September 1967, San Francisco, California, USA
.......... + Gideon J. Adams b: Abt. 1863, Canada
m: Abt. 1889
.............. 3 Gideon H. Adams b: 12 November 1894, California, USA
d: 18 June 1965, Sonoma County, California, USA
.................. + Margaret E. b: Abt. 1899, California, USA
m: Abt. 1918
...................... 4 Claire L. Adams b: Abt. 1922
...... 2 Emma Theresa Howard b: 31 December 1873, Occidental, Cal. USA
d: 31 May 1933
...... 2 Alfred Howard b: 21 December 1877
d: 22 September 1959, Napa County, California, USA
.......... + Elsie Smith b: Abt. 1888, Oregon, USA
m: Abt. 1913; Divorce: Bet. 1920 - 1930
.............. 3 Alfred Howard b: 13 April 1914
d: December 1977, Palo Alto, San Mateo County, California, USA
.............. 3 Sydney Theodore Howard b: 1915, San Francisco, Cal. USA
d: 1973, Newport Beach, California, USA
.................. + T.L.B. b: 1927
...................... 4 K.A.H. b: 1951
...................... 4 S.T.H. b: 1953
.......................... + C.V.S. b: 1945
.............................. 5 I.L.H. b: 1975
.............................. 5 R.H. b: 1977
......................... *2nd Wife of S.T.H.:
.............................. + C.S.K. b: 1953
