Joseph Spotswood
The Spotswood House was built in 1875, and is listed as on the National Register of Historic Places.
Joseph Spotswood was born in March 1836 to George and Christina Spotswood in Ontario, Canada. On February 16, 1858, he married Matilda, and together they had five children: James, Jenny, Joseph, Matilda Edith, and Christina. Tragically, Matilda passed away on December 24, 1869, at the young age of 26.
According to the 1870 U.S. Census, Joseph was living in Petaluma, California, staying at the New York Hotel with his older brother, James, and working as a carriage maker. By the 1871 Canadian Census, however, Joseph had returned to Ontario with his five children and was working as a blacksmith.
In 1872, Joseph relocated once again to California, settling in Petaluma and later in Potter Valley, where he worked on the John Hopper Ranch—a 1,000-acre property stretching from the west hill nearly to the top of the east hill and extending to Main Street, about a half-mile north.
On January 22, 1875, Joseph married Disy Hopper, John Hopper’s niece. They had two children together: Minerva Belle and Tom. Sadly, Disy died on February 28, 1879, at just 24 years old. By 1880, their two children were living with their Hopper grandparents. Joseph’s two youngest children from his first marriage were living with Matilda’s parents, while the three older children remained with Joseph in Potter Valley.
In 1885, Joseph proposed to Addie May Spencer. According to family lore, she replied, “Only if you build me a big fancy house.” Construction of the house began in 1875 and was completed by 1877. It was located on West Road, just north of Main Street. At that time, Joseph owned 320 acres of land stretching from Main Street to Spring Valley Road—a half-mile west.
Addie, then 24, married Joseph, who was 51. They had seven children: Gus (married Olga), Gladys (married Harry Shimmin), Geneva (married McLain Christofferson), Elva (married Herb Pickle), Olive (married James Nichols), and Mable (married Percy Whitcomb).
Joseph passed away on February 10, 1912, and Addie followed on November 30, 1917.
Their son George died at age 13. Gus later purchased the southern portion of the family property, from the hill to Spring Valley Road. As the story goes, the remaining daughters drew straws to divide the land, and Mable won the family house when the estate was split into five parts.