Gc LVI. L
979.4 G94h^ V.2 1359858
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
lllllilllilllilllll
3 1833 01148 4125
A HISTORY
CALIFORNIA
Extended History of Its Southern Coast Counties
Containing Biographies of Well-Known Citizens of the Past and Present.
J. M. GUINN> A. M.,
Secretary and Late President of the Historical Society of Southern California, and Member of the American Historical Association of Washington, D. C.
ILLUSTRATED. COMPLETE IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOLUVIE II.
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES. CAL. (907
Copyright, 1907
HISTORiC RF.CORD COMPANY.
1359858
'■SF'
'^C.p.JdU^aU^-in^
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1077
WILLIAM C. B. RICHARDSON. One of the best known and most honored residents of Tropico is the venerable William C. B. Richard- son, who is distinguished both for his own life and work, and for the excellent ancestry from which he traces his descent, his family name oc- cupying a prominent place in the annals of New England, its members being noted for their integrity and patriotism. A son of Hon. Elkanah Richardson, he was born in Swanzey, Cheshire county, N. H., October 28, 181 5, of English an- cestry. His paternal grandfather, Wyman Richardson, a resident of the Granite state, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, taking an active part in many engagements.
Born, reared and educated in New Hampshire, Ellkanah Richardson subsequently removed to Ohio, becoming a pioneer of that state. He was a surveyor by profession, and in the pursuit of his occupation became familiar with that section of the country in the early days of its history. A man of much talent, he became influential in financial, business and legal affairs, and for fourteen years he served as judge of the •circuit court. His death occurred while he was in the prime of life, at the age of fifty-six years. He married Sophia Belding, who was born in New Hampshire, of thrifty Scotch ancestr}', a sister of William C. Belding, who was killed in the war of 1812, and for whom the subject of this sketch was named.
Being taken by his parents to Ohio when a boy, William C. B. Richardson was educated in the common schools of Cuyahoga Falls, Sum- mit county. Subsequently working with his father, he became proficient as a surveyor, which he followed - for forty years in Cleveland. A straightforward, thorough-going business man, he met with eminent success in his undertakings, acquiring wealth and distinction, and though he has disposed of some of the property that he formerly held in that place he still owns three acres of valuable land, and a number of city lots. In municipal affairs he was active and promin- ent, and while a resident of Ohio, served for two terms as a member of the common council of Cleveland. For a few years he was also en- gaged in the coal business, being in partnership with his son, O. S. Richardson, who is now dis- tinguished as the oldest-established coal mer- chant in Chicago, 111. In 1868 Mr. Richardson came to Los Angeles county, and here pur- chased the St. Eulalia rancho of six hundred and seventy-one acres. A part of the property has been sold in city lots, but adjoining land has been purchased, and the estate as it stands today contains seven hundred acres, and is worth upwards of a quarter of a million dollars. About three hundred acres of this is in strawberries and the balance in general fruit, walnuts and
produce. Although over ninety years of age, Mr. Richardson retains much of the mental and physical vigor of his earlier years, and works some every day. He has been prosperous as a general farmer and fruit grower, and delights in adding to the happiness, comfort and prosperity of those around him. When the electric line was put through this section he gave the right of way, one hundred feet wide, through his ranch.
In Akron, Ohio, in 1838, Mr. Richardson married Sarah Abbott, a daughter of John Ab- bott, who lived to the ripe old age of ninety- two years. Mrs. Richardson died in 1895, aged seventy-five years. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Richardson, four arrived at years of maturity, namely: Omar S., of Chicago; El- kanah W., of Tropico, Cal. ; Herbert, also re- siding in Chicago, and Mrs. Sophia Bisbee, who died in Akron, Ohio. Mr. Richardson is a member of the Pioneers Society and the His- torical Society of Los Angeles county. He is a Master Mason, being made a Mason in Summit county, Ohio.
PROF. W. OLIN LOWE. Prominent among the leading educators of San Diego county is Prof. W. Olin Lowe, principal of the Ramona high school, with which he has been connected in this capacity for eight years, outranking in length of service any other high school principal in the county. A man of broad and progressive views, cultured and talented, he is eminently qualified for his important work, and is meeting with almost phenomenal success. Possessing much force of character, and wise and judicious in his counsels, he exerts an influence for good in the community, and in the mental, social and moral development of the children under his supervision is an important factor. A son of John R. Lowe, he was born June i, i860, in Solano county, Cal., where his parents settled as pioneers.
A native of Indiana, John R. Lowe was reared to agricultural pursuits, and as a young man chose the occupation of his ancestors. In 1852 he came to California with the courageous pion- eers of those days, and in the subsequent years became a landholder, and a very successful agri- culturist and horticulturist, owning a good ranch and a valuable vineyard in Shasta county, where he spent the closing years of his life, dying there when sixty-four years of age. He was a stanch Republican in politics, and an active and con- sistent member of the United Brethren Qiurch. He married Janet Root, who was born in Indiana, and is now living in Kern City, Cal. Of the children born of their union, four survive.
r;oing with his parents to Yolo county when
1078
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
six years old, W. Olin Lowe there completed the course of study in the grammar schools, and afterwards attended the San Joaquin Valley Col- lege, spending two years in the preparatory de- partment and four years in collegiate work, tak- ing the regular classical course, which included Greek and Latin. He subsequently taught school one year in Shasta county, and four and one-half years in Selma, Fresno county. Then, giving up teaching for awhile. Professor Lowe entered the ministry, for three years preaching for the United Brethren denomination. Accepting a po- sition in Los Angeles in 1895, he taught most successfully for four years in the city schools. Coming from there to Ramona in 1899, he has since had charge of the high school, and in its management has won an enviable reputation as teacher, friend, counsellor and disciplinarian.
In 1887 Professor Lowe married Belle Lim- baugh, who was born in Missouri, a daughter of F. IM. Limbaugh, who came with his family to California in 1866, and settled at Rio Vista, Solano county. Four children have blessed the union of Professor and Mrs. Lowe, namely : Minnie Esther, born December 18, 1888; Wil- liam Marion Reese, born December 26, 1890; Alma Genette, born July 5, 1893, and Frances Mae, born March 27, 1896. Politically the pro- fessor is a steadfast Republican, and fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters ; of the Fraternal Brotherhood, at Los Angeles, and of San Diego Lodge No. 35, F. & A. M. He is also a member of the Southern California School Masters Club and for two terms has been identified with the San Diego county board of education.
JOHN W. GUSHING. One of the enter- prising and progressive citizens of Los Angeles county was the late John W. Gushing, who en- gaged as an agriculturist in Southern California for many years prior to his death, which occurred February 14, 1903. He was a native of Ireland, born in Belfast June 24, 1830, a son of Patrick Gushing, a builder in that city, and Mollie (Stewart) Gushing, a native of Belfast and a member of the same family to which A. T. Stew- art of New York belonged. Reared to young manhood in Belfast J. W. Gushing received his education in the schools of that city, after which he made that place his home until 1848. In the last-named year he decided to immigrate to the western world and accordingly came to New York Cit>-, where he was employed for four years and during this time applied for his papers making him "a citizen of this country. They were granted .August 29, 1857. and delivered to him in San Francisco. In 1852, he came to Cali- fornia via the Nicaragua route, landing in San
Francisco in April. For several years following his arrival in the state he was occupied in the mines, after which he returned to San Francisco and engaged in general contracting and teaming. In 1868 he removed to Humboldt county. Gal., and a year later made a trip to Southern Cali- fornia, where in the vicinity of Savannah, Los Angeles county, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of the Dalton tract. The following year he located his family here, erecting a resi- dence, barns and all necessary outbuildings, and thereafter engaged in grain and cattle raising. Later he added to his original purchase one hun- dred and eighty acres a half mile north of .Savannah and a twenty acre tract adjoining the first piece, the entire property becoming known as the Primrose farm. He remained on this place up to the time of his death February 14, 1903. His remains were interred in the San Gabriel Cemetery, as he was a member of the old JNIission Qnurch at San Gabriel. In his poli- tical relations he was a Democrat, but was always stanch in his support of the Union.
In San Francisco, in St. Mary's Cathedral. October 20, 1861, Mr. Gushing was united in marriage by the Rev. Father Croak with Miss Mary Carr, a native of County Donegal, Ireland, and a daughter of John Carr. He was a general contractor who about 1850 located in Philadel- phia, Pa., where his death eventually occurred, as did that of his wife, formerly Catherine Travis, also a native of Ireland. They were the parents of nine children, of whom four are now living, Mrs. Gushing being the only one in California. She came to San Francisco via the Isthmus of Panama in 1859 and two years later was mar- ried in that city. She is the mother of the follow- ing children ; Mary Agnes, wife of Thomas Godfrey, of San Pedro ; Elizabeth S. and Alice J., both of Los Angeles; Anna L., of Giicago; John F., who died at the age of seven years and three months : Patrick L., on the home ranch ; Cecelia, of Los Angeles : Catherine, wife of Dr. C. W. Seeber, of Los Angeles ; Polk L., on the home ranch ; James, of Los Angeles ; Joseph Emmet, on the ranch ; Ileen, of Los Angeles ; and Margaret S. In October, 1904, Mrs. Gush- ing removed to Los Angeles, where she now makes her home, being a member of the St. \'incent's Catholic Giurch, and a devoted worker for its interest.
CLTSHING BROTHERS. Native sons of the state of California, Patrick and Emmet J. Gushing are engaged in the cultivation and de- velopment of property which bids fair to rank with the finest ranches of Los Angeles county. The eldest was born in this county January 31. 1876. and the latter .\pril 2^. 1881, both re-
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1079
ceiving their education through the medium of the pubHc schools of El Monte, where they grew to manhood. Their father, John W. Gush- ing, a pioneer of California, was born in Belfast ; Ireland, his education was received in the schools of his native city, after which, at the age of sixteen years he came to America and in New York City was employed for about four years. Subsequently he came to California and on the property which he owned, known as Primrose farm, his death occurred February 14, 1903. Progressive and enterprising, the two brothers assumed the management of the old Cushing homestead, which consisted of one hundred and eighty acres located in the vicinity of El Monte, and here they are associated in the raising of stock, in which business they have been very success- ful. In 1904 Patrick Cushing was united in mar- riage with Miss Nellie Graney, a native of Port- land, Ore., and they are the parents of one son. John Gifford. They are devout members of the Catholic Church. The brothers are Demo- cratic in their national tendencies, although lo- cally they can always be counted upon to up- hold good government, regardless of party af- filitions. Socially they occupy a high position among the ranchers of this section of Los An- geles, appreciated for their sterling worth as men and citizens.
SYLVESTER H. GARNER. A native Cali- fornian. Sylvester H. Garner was born in San Bernardino county, August 10, 1869, the youngest son of John Garner, a pioneer of the st.ate, and one of the prominent men among the ranchers of Southern California. The elder man was born in Davidson county, N. C, May I, 1820, a son of David Garner, who died at the remarkable age of one hundred and five years. He came to Hancock county. 111., where he mar- ried Mary Ann O. Rawson, a native of Wash- ington county, Ind. ; they were members of the Church of Latter Day Saints and located in Nauvoo, 111., where they made their home for five years, and upon the exodus of their people in 1846 Mr. Garner took his family to Council Bluffs, Iowa. Two vears later he started west- ward once more and in Salt Lake City he made his home until 1851, engaging in farming, etc. When learning of the new doctrines which Brigham Young had introduced into the church since coming to Salt Lake Citv, such as polvg- amy and others, he became disgusted with the church in that place. Deciding to locate in California, he outfitted in 185 1 and on March i started to cross the plains to San Bernardino with Dave Seelev. Capt. Jefferson Hunt and Andrew Lytle. There Mr. Garner purchased land and began farming, being the first man to
plant alfalfa in Southern California and raise and thresh the seed, to start his ranch purchas- ing fifty pounds of seed at $1 per pound. He became prominent in the public life of the com- munity, a settlement having been established by the men who came through with Mr. Garner, and during the years of his residence he was elected to many positions of trust and responsi- bility. For two terms he served as supervisor of San Bernardino county and was chairman of the board for several years, and was also school trustee for many years. He was a stanch ad- herent of Democratic principles. By virtue of his early residence in the state he was a member of the Pioneer Society of San Bernardino county. In 1874 he removed to Newport, where his death occurred in 1890, when nearly seventy years old. His remains were sent to San Bernardino and buried by the side of his wife, who had preceded him in 1880. His funeral was one of the largest ever held in San Bernardino, the large number attending being a silent evidence of the great regard and esteem in which he was held. There were thirteen children in the parental family, of whom six are still surviving.
Reared in Southern California, Sylvester H. Garner received his education in the public .'schools of Santa Ana, Orange county, where his parents located when he was a child in years. After completing his education he began farming for himself, at the age of twenty-one years go- ing to Fresno, where he followed horticultural pursuits. He became the owner of twenty acres of land which he sold after five years and came to Los Angeles county and in the vicinity of Florence engaged in sugar beet culture, leasing and cultivating about three hundred and seventy- five acres of land belonging to the Nadeau and Cudahy estates. Finally giving up ranching he located in Los Angeles ancl engaged in the whole- sale produce business, and after a time sold out and followed a grocery enterprise. Altogether he was in commercial enterprises in Los Angeles for five years. Finally disposing of his business interests he came to El Monte and in 1903 pur- chased his present property, which contained at that time fifty acres, although he has since disposed of a half of it and now has but twenty- five acres devoted to walnuts and alfalfa. He has made all the improvements himself, install- ing a pumping plant, etc., and bids fair to make a striking success of his enterprise.
June 29, 1898, Mr. Garner was united in mar- riage with J\liss Cora Van Fleet, who was born in Dickinson county, Kans., in 1872 : she was but ten years old when brought to California by her father, Nelson Van Fleet who for many years made his home in Downey, Cal., but is now living retired in Los .Angeles. Mrs. Garner was one of eleven children, eight of whom are
1080
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
living in California. Previous to her marriage she was a teacher in the Los Nietos public school, having held the said position for seven consecu- tive years. Mr. and Mrs. Garner have one child, .Sylvester H. Jr., who was born in Los Angeles City, February ii, 1903. Both himself and wife are members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
JOHN ROBERT PIERCY. Credit is due Mr. Piercy for the efforts he has made toward the upbuilding and development of the section of California in which he has made his home since 1895. He is a native of North Carolina, his birth having occurred in Murphy. Qierokee county, November 22. 1859; his grandfather, Stephen Piercy, was born in England and in young man- hood immigrated to America and settled in North Carolina, his son, Wesley, the father of John R. also being a native of that state. The latter was a surveyor and was engaged in this work in North Carolina until his death. He was a citizen of prominence, helpful in the maintenance of law and order, and as a Master Mason was influen- tial in fraternal circles. He married Martha Collins, whose birth and death occurred also in North Carolina.
Of the thirteen children born to his parents, of whom nine attained maturity and eight are now living, John Robert Piercy was sixth in order of birth. He was left an orphan at the age of ten years and two years later he went to Indiana where, in the vicinity of Terre Haute, he made his home with a brother, who was a farmer in that section. He remained in that location for four years when he decided to go further west- ward, and accordingly traveled through Iowa, North Dakota and Utah, engaging in farming and mining, the latter employment occupying his at- tention in Utah for eight years, working with the Maxfield Mining Company. It was in 1895 that he first came to California and in the vicinity of El Monte, Los Angeles county, he found em- ployment on the ranch of .George H. Peck. After one year he leased the ranch, which consisted of four hundred and eighty-three acres, and while he engaged in the raising of alfalfa and grain he undertook the improvement of the place by boring a well one hundred and twenty-seven feet deep and installing a steam engine, forty- horse power, with a capacity of one hundred and fifty inches. He had two hundred acres given over entirely to the cultivation of alfalfa. In 1902 he decided to invest in land and accordingly purchased fifty-four acres in the vicinity of El Monte, and immediately set it to walnuts, while he also engaged in general farming. Later he disposed of twenty-nine acres of the jirnperty, re- taining twenty-five acres, which he has brought
to a high state of cultivation and improvement, having erected a new residence in 1905. He was instrumental in the incorporation of what is known as the Peck Ranch Water Company, of which he is secretary and manager, and which ir- rigates one hundred and fifty-eight acres of land. November 22, 1891, in North Carolina, Air. Piercy was united in marriage with Miss Rillie Tatham, who was born in Cherokee county, that state. Her father, Benton Tatham, and grand- father, Thomas, were both natives of North Car- olina, of English descent, the latter having served in the Mexican war, as did his brother, James Tatham. Farming- had been the occupation of the family for generations and Benton Tatham w'as so engaged at the breaking out of the Civil war. in which he served faithfully. He married Arra \\'right, born in Yancey county, N. C, a daughter of James Wright, a farmer of Scotch- Irish descent ; she was the fifth in a family of ten children and is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Piercy are the parents of three children, namely : Rob- ert, William and !Murvel. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow, having been made a member of the order in Monrovia ; politically he is a Republican on national issues, while locally he supports the man whom he considers best qualified for public duties.
MARK HUTCHCROFT. One of the suc- cessful citizens of the community in and about Bassett is ]\Iark Hutchcroft, known and esteemed throughout this section as an upbuilder of the best interests of the general welfare. He is a native of Grant county. Wis., born January 27, 1859, the oldest son in a family of eight children, of whom three sons and four daughters are now liv- ing. His father, John Hutchcroft, was born in Yorkshire, England, where the name had flour- ished for generations. The grandfather, Ed- ward Hutchcroft, brought his family to America and located in Grant county. Wis., where he en- gaged first as a miner and later as a farmer, .^fter spending fifteen years in mining, John Hutchcroft followed farming and finally, in 1874, brought his family across the continent to Ore- gon, where they located in McMinnville. Later he purchased a farm in North Yamhill, Yam- hill county, and resided there until his death, which occurred in 1897. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically was a stanch Republican. His \vife. formerly Mar- garet Bell, was born in Aberdeen. Scotland, a daughter of Robert Bell, a merchant in Scotland, where he also died. Thev also were members of the Methodist Episcopal Qiurch.
Mark Hutchcroft received his preliminary ed- ucation in the public schools of Wisconsin and Oregon, and completed it in the Willamette
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1083
Universit}'. He was reared on his father's farm, where he remained until attaining his majority. He then became dependent upon his own re- sources and with his brother began logging on the North Yamhill river, from the city of Isorth Yamhill down to Oregon City and Portland. He was occupied thus for five years, when with his accumulated earnings he rented a place and be- gan raising hops at North Yamhill, still in part- nership with his brother. On account of his wife's health he sold out in May, 1895, and came to California, locating in Santa Monica and en- gaging with the Santa Monica Lumber Com- pany. In 1897 he accepted a position as fore- man of the Bassett ranch, and has held it ever since, now being superintendent of three hundred acres of this large property, and engaged in set- ting it to walnuts. He has purchased thirty acres of the ranch, which is devoted to walnuts and alfalfa, while his attention is given to general farming on the greater part of the place.
Mr. Hutchcroft was married in Oregon to Miss May Roberts, a native of Iowa, and a daughter of Henry Roberts, and they have two children, Grace and Gladys Belle. Mr. Hutchcroft has always take a prominent place in educational affairs wherever he has made his home, while in Oregon serving on the school board, and was also a member of the Bassett school board when their building was erected. He is a member of the Mountain View Presbyterian Church, in which he officiates as an elder, and politically upholds the principles of the Republican party.
HON. WILLIAM H. KELSO. For many generations the Kelso family was identified with the development of Pennsylvania and especially with the agricultural and coal-min- ing interests of Allegheny county. The orig- inal Scotch immigrant, George Kelso, who came to the United States in 1760. from the town of Kelso, Scotland, located in Bucks county. Pa., from there going- to Cumberland, near McClure's Gap, and still later, in 1782, removing to Washington county. His son, John Kelso, served seven years, seven months and ten days in the Revolutionary war, and was one of the one hundred and twenty men who stormed Stony Point. During his serv- ice he was made orderly sergeant. The son of the latter and the grandson of the orig- inal founder of the name in America, Ben- jam,in Kelso, was born in 1790, in Allegheny county^ where he became the owner of coal lands, bank stock and other profitable hold- ings, representing about $30,000, which in those days was considered quite a fortune. Among the children of Benjamin was John P>.. a native of Allegheny county and a life-
long resident ot that portion of Pentisylvania, where he died at sixty-five years. Included in his possessions was a tract of coal land, which in time became the inheritance of his only son, William H., the only daughter hav- ing died without heirs. In politics he affiliated with the Republican party from the organi- zation of the party until his death, and always he maintained an active interest in party mat-, ters. Through his marriage to Mary Hall, a native of Allegheny county, he became con- nected with an old-established family of Penn- sylvania, of remote Irish extraction. Her father, William Hall, was born in Allegheny county and after an active life as a farmer he died there aged about seventy-six years, his wife surviving him until ninety-six years of age. During the year 1886 Mrs. Mary Kelso came to the Pacific coast and afterward re- sided in California until her death in 1905, at eighty-two years of age. From childhood she had been identified with the United Pres- byterian denomination, which was the church of her forefathers.
On the homestead in Allegheny county. Pa., William H. Kelso was born February 24, 1847, and there he passed the care-free days of boyhood. His education was commenced in neighboring schools and completed in the Dayton (Pa.) Academy, after which he re- mained with his father and grandfather. De- cember 21, 1870, he was united in marriage with Miss Mina C. Craig, a native of Indiana county. Pa., and a member of an old eastern family. With his young wife he established a home on a farm and there he engaged in raising grain and feeding cattle. Meanwhile the oil industry had assumed gigantic pro- portions in Pennsylvania and its activities penetrated to the Kelso homestead, which proved to possess oil in paying quantities. In 1887 he rented the old homestead of one hun- dred and sixty acres, which he yet owns. Eight oil wells on the land produced two hun- dred thousand barrels of oil during the first year and three of them are still pumping. The wells were drilled principally in 1891- 93, Mr. Kelso's share being one-sixth of the output. Upon renting the old home place in 1887 he came to California and purchased sixty acres near Inglewood, and also three blocks in the townsite of Inglewood, contain- ing fifteen acres, which were iaid out in town lots and blocks, including his home place, which is one of the most attractive in the town. Always interested in movements for the development of his home town, he has fostered worthy enterprises and was one of the founders of the Bank of Inglewood, in which he now owns stock. For ten vears he
1084
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
has officiated as director of Occidental Col- lege and in other ways he has proved his keen interest in educational progress. In his fam- ily there are two daughters, Anna J. and Edith A., both of whom were given exceptional ad- vantages ; the older is married to Arthur J. McFadden, of Santa Ana, member of an hon- ored family of this region, and they have one daughter, Mary ; the younger daughter, Edith A., remains with her parents.
The religious connections of the family are with the Presbj'terian Church, but other de- nominations have received from them active encouragement and financial aid. In fraternal . relations Mr. Kelso holds membership with the Independent Order of Foresters. From boyhood he was reared to a faith in the Re- publican party and later studies of the polit- ical situation did not change his belief. Though always willing to assist friends who were candidates for office, he has never cared for such honors for himself, and the only po- sition he has held came to him unsought. This was in November of 1902, when without an active campaign on his part he was elected to represent the seventieth district in the state assembly. During the session that followed he served on various committees of importance and represented his constituents with fidelity and intelligence, but at the expiration of his term he declined further official responsibili- ties and honors, and retired to the enjoyment of private life and the management of his im- portant business and landed interests.
OLOF LARSON. The years included be- tween 1880 and 1898 recall varied experiences on the part of Mr. Larson, all valuable in their way, but none more so than those brought to mind by the dates just mentioned, the former being the year of his advent in the New World, and "the latter the year in which he located upon his present ranch in San Bernardino county, not far from the city of that name. A son of Lars Hanson and Kestein (Pierceson) Larson, he was born in Skone, Sweden, Janu- ary 7, 1858. receiving an excellent education in the public schools of his native town. Native thrift and not necessity was the idea in mind when he took up agricultural pursuits upon leaving school, for his parents were well-to-do and no comfort had been denied him.
At the age of twenty-two years, in 1880, Mr. I^arson carried out a desire which had taken a strong hold upon him. and in the spring of that year he was among the passengers who landed at Castle Garden. Going direct from New York to Lasalle county. 111., he remained there
five years, after which he returned to Sweden to visit his parents and friends. Three months of rest and inactivity made him anxious to re- sume business, and at the end of this time he returned to America, this time locating in Ot- tawa, 111. In 1886 he sought the milder climate of California, locating at Craftonville, where he was employed in a hotel for about one and a half years. After working in a livery in Red- lands for about a year he came to San Bernar- dino, but three months later returned to Red- lands, where for four months he was in the em- ploy of H. H. Sinclair. A desire to see and in- form himself in regard to the northern coast induced him to go to Seattle, Wash., where he found employment with a company engaged in laying a cable road, doing construction work for about four months, when he went to Puget Sound, there acting as yardmaster in a lumber 3-ard for one year. Still later he became tally keeper in loading grain on steamers, following this until returning to San Bernardino in 1892, from that year until 1898 working in a liverj^ stable here. As has been previously intimated, it was during the latter year that he purchased and settled upon his present ranch of twenty acres, which has been his home ever since, and which he has transformed from wild land into one of the most productive ranches in the coun- ty. Realizing that the first essential for a suc- cessful ranch depended upon a sufficient water supply, he put in flumes for irrigation, having in the meantime set out orange trees and plant- ed grape vines. The result of his continued ef- forts to make his ranch a success has been all that could be desired by the most sanguine, and much credit is due him for what he has accom- plished.
In San Bernardino, March 2, 1888, Mr. Lar- son and Kerstine Swenson were united in mar- riage. A native of Sweden, Mrs. Larson was born in Skone, July 21, 1865, the daughter of Swen Hanson and Ulrika (Rosengrenl Swen- son. When twenty-one years of age she came to the United States with her brother and lo- cated in Ottawa, 111., coming to California the following year and settling in San Bernardino. Five children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Larson, of whom we mention the fol- lowing: Ivan LTlrik, born January 9, 1890, and Frances Estella, born December 31, 1891, are both at home with their parents ; the next child, Algene Henrietta, was born April 16, 1894, in Sweden, where Mrs. Larson had gone on a visit; the daugliter did not long survive the journey to the United States, dying two days after her arrival, August 6, 1894; the other chil- dren arc Algina Kerstina. born June 5, 1899. and Norman Stanley, born August 10, 1902.
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1087
The family attend the Swedish Lutheran Church at San Bernardino, of which the par- ents are members. PoHtically Mr. Larson is a Republican, and fraternally he is a member of the Woodmen of the World, having joined the order in San Bernardino in 1897.
CASSIUS C. JOHNSON. Few more con- sistent, practical or well-balanced careers have contributed to the development of Pomo- na and Claremont than that of the late C. C. Johnson, whose death, September 3, 1906, was mourned by the citizens of both towns as that of a personal friend. His remains were in- terred in the cemetery at Pomona, in which town so many years of his active and useful life had been passed.
Indiana was Mr. Johnson's native state, and he was born in Greencastle April i, 1854, one of the younger children in a family of ten born to his parents, Dickson and Nancy (Se- wein Johnson, both of the latter being na- tives of Kentucky. Among the early set- tlers in Indiana who had crossed over the Ohio river from Kentucky was Dickson John- son, who settled down as a farmer in that new country, but he was evidently not satisfied with the country for a permanent location, and some time after the birth of his son C. C. he removed to Vinton. Iowa, near which city he purchased a large farm. It was there that his earth life came to a close, leaving to mourn his loss a widow and a large family of children. The mother passed away some years later in Willow Lake, S. Dak. As he was a mere child when the family removed from In- diana to Iowa C. C. Johnson was reared al- most entirel}^ in the latter state, attending first the public school of Vinton and later Vinton Academy. Although reared on a farm he had no taste for farming himself, and as soon as his school days were over he se- cured a position in a dry-goods store in Vin- ton with the idea of learning the business. When one has definite ideas of a line of busi- ness which he wishes to follow and with per- sistency applies himself to its masterv the victory is half won, and thus it was with Mr. Johnson, for in a short time he was enabled to start in the dry-goods business on his own account. The failure of his health, however, brought about a change in his plans and af- ter disposing of his interests in Iowa he came to California in r88i. The following year he purchased a ranch of thirty acres on the cor- ner of San Bernardino and Towne avenues. For about four years he raised sheep and grain on his property and then siidivided the ranch
into one and four acre tracts, also opening Towne avenue. In the mean time he had been employed in the weighing department of the Southern Pacific road for about one year.
In 1895 Mr. Johnson removed to a' foothill ranch east of San Antonio, comprising several hundred acres. He gave this up, however, in the fall of 1900 and removed to Claremont, in order that his children could attend Pomo- na College. After locating here he engaged in the real-estate business, and among other transactions with which his name was as- sociated was the laying out of a forty-acre tract on North Harvard avenue, which he sold off as Johnson's addition to Claremont, and he also laid out another forty-acre tract ad- joining known as College, avenue addition. This business is still being carried on under the name of C. C. Johnson & Co. In 1902 he erected the fine residence now occupied by the family, located on North Harvard avenue. Far from being self-centered and interested in his own private affairs only, Mr. Johnson was on the other hand broad minded and gener- ous. He was a director in the Citizens' Light and Water Company, was the organizer of the Co-operative Water Company, which was located on his ranch, also assisted in the or- ganization of the Claremont Lumber Com- pany, the Citizens' State Bank and the Clare- mont Inn Company, of which latter he was president. For many years he had served ef- ficiently as school trustee of Claremont and also served as selectman.
In Vinton, Iowa, May 19, 1880, C. C. John- son was married to Miss Louise Moore, who was born in Durand. 111., the daughter of Hubbard Moore. From Vermont, his native state, Mr. Moore set out with the '4gers for the gold region, but he did not remain long in the west at that time. Later he removed to Durand, 111., and established himself in the dry-goods business, which he followed until removing to Vinton, Iowa, there following the builder's trade. Removing from the middle west in 1881 he came to California and the same year purchased a ranch adjoining Pomo- na, upon which he lived the remainder of his life, and in addition to its management he also carried on contracting to some extent. Mrs. Moore, who before her marriage was Kath- erine Peck, was born in Massachusetts and now resides with her daughter, Mrs. John- son. Five children blessed the marriage of Air. and Mrs. Johnson: .'\lbert, who is en- gaged in the electrical business in Covina ; Tames, who is with the Claremont Lumber Company; Clarence; Fmma, deceased; and Katherine. PoHticalh- Mr. Tohnson was a
1088
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
strong Republican, and in his church affilia- tions was an active member of the Congrega- tional Church, of which at one time he was a trustee. Thoroughly devoted to the interests of this part of California, he was one of those citizens whose coming from the east meant so much to the development and growth of the state.
JOHN H. BREEDLOVE. Coming to San Diego county nearly a quarter of a century ago, John H. Breedlove has been an active and able assistant in developing and advanc- ing its industrial and business prosperity. He is pleasantly located near Valley Center, and is one of the substantial men of his commun- ity, owning a large and well-cultivated ranch, and being especially interested in dairying. A man of unbounded energy and enterprise, he has accumulated his property by hard labor and the exercise of the good judgment and sound sense with which nature generously en- dowed him, and at the same time he has cul- tivated to a marked degree those inherent vir- tues and habits that make him a valued citi- zen and a true man in every relation of life. A son of William Breedlove, he was born De- cember 26, 1846, in Webster county, Mo., where he received a common school educa- tion.
A native of Tennessee, William Breedlove remained in his early home until after his mar- riage with Susan Haggard. Migrating then to the extreme western frontier, he lived for many years in Missouri, clearing from the wilderness a good farm in Webster county, where he became owner of about eight hun- dred acres of land. In the later years of his life he started with his family for the Pacific coast, but while crossing the plains his good wife was taken ill and died. He continued the journey to California, but after a brief stay returned to Missouri, and there spent the re- mainder of his life. To him and his wife sev- en children were born.
Brought up on the homestead, and well drilled in farming and stock-raising from his boyhood. John H. Breedlove became well fit- ted for the independent calling which he is now following so successfully. As a young man, however, he thought to find some more congen- ial occupation, and with that end in view went in the spring of 1864 to Montana, where he worked for awhile in the mines. Not finding much profit in his labors he went back to his native state, where he resumed ranching for a time. Subsequently he went first to Kan- sas, then to Texas, where he lived four years, working at the carpenter's trade in Wood
county. Returning home, he assisted his father on the farm from 1874 until 1876, when he came to California, locating in Butte coun- ty, where he followed farming two years. Coming from there to San Diego county in 1878, he took up a homestead claim on which, he resided five years. In 1883 he located near Valley Center, buying his present ranch of six hundred and sixty acres, and in its improve- ment has met with unquestioned success, it being one of the best and most attractive home estates to be found in this section of the state. He pays much attention to dairying, for a number of years milking from fifty to seven- ty cows daily, and carries on general farming to a considerable extent, raising all of the hay and grain used on the farm.
In Missouri, in 1875, Mr. Breedlove married Edith A. Rogers, a native of that state, and into their home four children have been born, nam.ely : Roy E., of Los Angeles, a dealer in real estate ; Lillian, also dealing in real es- tate in Los Angeles ; Grace, at home ; and Carl. Although not very active in politics, Mr> Breedlove keeps himself well informed upon current events, and uniformly supports the Republican ticket. Religiously -Mr. and Mrs. Breedlove are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.
EDWARD H. STAGG, of Los Angeles is a man who, although retired from active service on account of ill health, still takes a prominent in- terest in public affairs, and his thirty years ol intimate connection with railroad work while fill- ing important positions gives him an insight into the live questions of the day, which is of recog- nized value. He was born in Jackson county. Mo., November 8, 1853, one of a family of seven children, five of whom are still living. His father, Rev. Isaac M. Stagg, was a native of New Jersey and when a young man learned the tailor's trade at Hartford, Conn. From there he removed to Laporte, Ind., took a theological course, was ordained as a minister and accepted in the Methodist Conference, after which he re- moved to Logansport, Ind., and continued in the ministry twenty-four years. His death at East St. Louis, 111., removed a man who was greatly revered by all who knew him. The mother was in maidenhood Marial Thomas, and a native of New York. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Guirch, and an active worker in re- ligious circles. Her death occurred in 1891 at Albuquerque, N. Mex.
E. H. Stagg received a common school educa- tion and immediately after his school days were over he became an apprentice at the cigarmaker's trade. In 1872 he beg-an his career as a railroad
J/. j^£o(cuJii^ <£/^^A
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1091
man, entering the service of the Ilhnois Central as a clerk and was promoted successively to baggage master and conductor. Later he be- came connected with the Union Pacific Railway Company, filling the position of chief bill clerk at Kansas City, Mo., and when he left that posi- tion it was to become chief clerk to the terminal agent of the Denver & Rio Grande in the south- western part of Colorado. From there he went to Oregon as chief clerk in the auditor's office, was soon promoted to the position of traveling auditor, and in 1897 became chief claim clerk of the Atlantic & Pacific. In 1898 he was made auditor of the Randsburg Railway Company, which position he filled for about a year, when he was appointed to the position of general freight and passenger agent of the same com- pany, and before he retired from that company in 1904 had attained the office of general man- ager. Mr. Stagg built the Ludlow Southern Railroad and served as general manager and treasurer of the company before his retirement from active work on account of impaired health. He still owns large business interests and is at present a stockholder and director of the High- land Park Bank. In politics he has always been an active member of the Republican party.
Fraternally Mr. Stagg is a Royal Arch Mason and is identified with Signet Chapter No. 57, F, & A. M., and is Past Grand Secretary of New Mexico jurisdiction of Odd Fellows. He was married to Miss Louise Vaughn, a native of Windsor, Ontario, and has a family of three children, all of whom are living in California. Thev are: Mrs. Nellie A. Black, Mrs. Jessie Norton, and Mrs. Sarah E. McMillan. Mrs. Stagg is a member of and active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In everything he has undertaken Mr. Stagg has met with great success and has amassed a considerable fortune.
M. ALEXANDER SCHUTZ, A. B., M. D. A resident of California since 1891, Dr. Schutz has been an eye-witness to the remarkable de- velopment of the southern part of the state and has himself been an active participant in the growth and progress of Long Beach, where he has made his home for the greater part of this time. He is a native of Russia, having been born at Odessa on the Black Sea, March 2, 1864, the descendant of a family conspicuous in the af- fairs of that country, an uncle now serving as physician to the Royal family. After receiving a primary education in the private schools in the portion of the country where he made his home, he entered college and after eight years gradu- ated with the degree of A. B. and prepared to take up the study of medicine, which he had chosen for his life work. He had intended to
pursue this study with his uncle, but his plans were changed by political ideas imbibed through a careful and thoughtful review of the situation in Russia. He became a Liberalist and before his plans were completed was placed under sus- picion and practically deprived of his liberty. For the sake of the broader freedom to be found on this side of the water he decided to come to America, and upon his arrival became a student in New York, taking up the study of medicine. His health becoming impaired he gave up his studies and came to California to recuperate, completing the course in the Southern California Medical College, and receiving the degree of M. D. in 1899. In the meantime, in 1894, he had located in Long Beach and established a sanita- rium for the treatment of chronic and nervous diseases, erecting the buildings and fitting them out with every modern appliance. Later he en- larged the property and the first building which was erected is now used for an office. He con- ducted the work successfully and at the same time took a broad interest in the material upbuilding of his adopted city, putting up the first Liberal hall in Long Beach, where free speech could be made. In 1901 he built the Riviera hotel, the largest of its kind in the city, consisting of eighty rooms and all modernly ecjuipped for the accom- modation of the best class of tourists. Fle was also the organizer of the Improvement Society of Long Beaoh and established the first batli in the place, and along many lines has given his best efforts for the beautifying and upbuilding of the city. In 1905 he organized the International Home for children, his object being to protect the homeless and friendless children of all na- tionalities and place them in an environment cal- culated to enable them to develop the best in their lives. They are taught not only the principle of universal love and given the best physical and intellectual training, but are also instructed in useful trades and occupations and taught to be- come self-supporting. The home, which is lo- cated near Signal Hill, built by the doctor and improved each year, is to be dedicated to them in perpetuity, to be free from indebtedness and thereby insuring them the best opportunity to develop the highest type of manhood and woman- hood. This is" the plan of Dr. Schutz, to be ful- filled at his demise, his possessions to be given to the support of the home.
In Long Beach Dr. Schutz was united in mar- riage with Pearl Kelly, a daughter of Rev. Isaac Kellv, and a native of Iowa, from which state she removed to California in 1895. They are the parents of a son and daughter, Ahura and Emeth, both natives of this city. Mrs. Schutz is identified with her husband in his philan- thropic work and gives him licr heartiest support and encouragement. In the midst of his other
1092
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
labors the doctor is the editor of the Southern Cahfomia Journal of Health, of which about a thousand numbers are published each month, and he has also traveled and lectured on Russia ver)^ extensively. In his practice in the sanitarium he makes a specialty of electricity and X-ray and is accomplishing much that is bringing him prom- inently before the public. The doctor is not a man of one idea, unless it be said — and truly — that all his actions are founded upon the rul- ing motive of his life, to be a benefit to human- ity, for he is broad and philanthropic, a man of letters and scholarly attainments ; and a true Socialist in all the comprehensiveness of the term, freely giving of his time and means in the furtherance of his ideas, which mean a broader and better future for the coming generation.
FRANCIS CHERRILL HANNON. A native son of the state, Francis Cherrill Han- non was born in San Jose, March 6, 1867, the son of an honored pioneer. Jeremiah C. Han- non was born in London. England, December 2. 1828, a son of David Hannon, who married Martha Cherrill. The grandfather brought his family to America and located near Zanes- ville,"Ohio. where he died in 1854. Jeremiah C. Hannon engaged as a farmer in Ohio until i860, when he came by the Isthmus of Pan- ama to San Francisco and for a time followed mining in California and Nevada. Later, in San Francisco, he was married and in 1863 purchased a ranch near San Jose and farmed there for six years, coming at the last-named date to Southern California, where he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres one mile north of El Monte. This was wild land, which he began at once to improve, continuing his labors until 1904, when he retired from active cares and located at San Gabriel, where he is now residing. In addition to his quarter sec- tion of land previously mentioned he owns seven hundred acres in Beaumont, Cal. He is prominent in public affairs, having served for many years as county supervisor on the Dem- ocratic ticket. His wife, formerly Elizabeth Carr, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, and she is also living, at the age of sixty-nine years. They became the parents of seven children, of whom six attained maturity, and are now living.
The eldest in his father's family, Francis Cherrill Hannon, was brought to this section in infancy, his education being received through the medium of the public schools. At the age of eighteen years he went to Los An- eeles and entered the employ of the Hellman- Haas Comoany, wholesale grocers, remaining with them for some time, beginning at the
bottom of the business and working up until he was placed in charge of the shipping office. At the age of twenty-one years he was appointed ganger of the United States rev- enue service in the southern district of Califor- nia, serving under Asa Ellis for three years. .\t the close of his term he was appointed deputy sheriff of Los Angeles county^ under Sheriff Gibson, and after serving one term was made chief deputy in the street depart- ment of the city of Los Angeles. His term ex- pired two years later, when he engaged in general contracting throughout Southern Cal- ifornia, taking street and railroad contracts for ten years. In 1904 he decided to take up agricultural life and accordingly leased the ranch which he now occupies, consisting of one hundred and thirty-five acres, where he has since dug two wells ninety feet deep each, and installed a thirty-horse power gasoline engine, with a capacity of one hundred inches. He gives his time to the raising of vegetables and berries for the wholesale markets, ten acres devoted to the small fruit, forty acres to vineyard and the remainder given over to vegetables.
In Los Angeles Mr. Hannon was united in marriage with Ixliss Frankie Crowley, a na- tive of Nevada county. Cal., and born of this union are two children, Ynez and Margaret. Politically ^Mr. Hannon is a stanch Demo- crjit and at one time was a member of the Democratic city^ central committee of Los Angeles. He is a man of many- splendid qual- ities of character, which he has displayed throughout his residence in Southern Califor- nia, and as a man and citizen has won the re- spect and esteem of all who know him.
JA:MES B. CARROLL. Among the exten- sive, practical and progressive agriculturists of San Diego county, James B. Carroll, of Escon- dido, owner of a large and valuable ranch, holds a position of importance and influence. An active, capable business man. possessing a clear judgment and amply endowed with those qual- ities which constitute an honorable citizen, he is highly esteemed throughout the community, and takes genuine interest in. the advancement of its prosperity and in the improvement of its moral, educational and social status. He is the son of the late Cornelius Carroll. The latter and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Egan. were both born in Ireland, and there spent their earlier lives. After their marriage they moved to the United States and were among the pioneer set- tlers of Wisconsin, and also lived for several vears in Minnesota. From there they removed to Oregon, where Mr. Carroll followed the oc-
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1093
cup'ation of engineer and merchant. Later he came with his family to San Diego county, Cal, and for a time farmed land in Mission Valley. Subsequently he located near Escondido, pur- chasing the place now farmed and occupied by his son, James B., and here successfully carried on his independent occupation until his death in 1885. His good wife survived him, passing away on the home ranch in 1898. Eight chil- dren were born of their union, four of whom are living, while four have passed to the world beyond.
James B. Carroll was born in Salem, Ore., but most of his life has been spent in San Diego county. After finishing his education in the San Diego public school he turned his attention to the pursuit of agriculture and assisted his father in the management of the ranch, which the latter had purchased about four miles from Escondido. He now has about eight hundred acres of fine valley land, and is extensively engaged in rais- ing stock and grain, being one of the largest and most successful ranchers in this section of the county.
Living with Mr. Carroll on the parental home- stead are his three sisters, namely : Mrs. Hollan, Honora J., and Theresa Carroll. Honora J. Carroll has been a teacher, and was principal of the North Salem and North San Diego public schools, and has also taught music. Mr. Carroll is greatly interested in the welfare of town and county, voting irrespective of party in local is- sues, but in national politics supporting the straight Democratic ticket. Fraternally he is a member of San Diego Lodge, Ancient (.)rder of Hibernians.
BENJAMIN SOULARD \-IRDEN. The identification of the A'irden family with Amer- ican development dates from the year 1620, when one of that name immigrated to this country from Holland and settled in the vicinity of Dover, Del. The original house occupied and owned by the family is still standing, a veritable landmark of the far distant past. Later generations remained in Delaware and wielded considerable influence in their localities. The lineage descends from Samuel Virden, a man of wealth and high stand- ing, to his son, Peter, a native of Delaware, but during early manhood a planter near Jackson, Miss., and a staff officer in the Civil war. At the close of that struggle he established his fam- ily in Philadelphia. Pa., and engaged in busi- ness in that city, but ultimately returned to Dela- ware, where in 1900 he passed away at his Dover home. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Emma Clocey. was born in Pennsyl- vania of French descent and was connected with the Soulard family of St. Louis.
Seven children, all but one of whom are living, comprised the family of Peter and Emma Vir- den. One of the sons, Edwin, carries on a drug business at Santa Paula, Cal., and is a leading citizen of that town. Another son, Benjamin Soulard, was born at Jackson, Miss., March 7, 1866, and as a boy lived in Philadelphia and Dover, and attended the Wilmington Academy in Dover. From youth he has been familiar with the drug business, his first experience being gained with W. C. A. Loder, on Sixteenth and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia. After one year as a student in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy he went to Savannah and to other points in the south, where for several years he was employed as a drug clerk. On his return to Philadelphia he opened a drug store on Twenty-third and Pine streets, but disposed of the busfness after one year.
On coming to California in 1888 Mr. Virden engaged as a clerk for his brother at Santa Paula, but soon went to Ventura, where he re- mained for two years in a drug store. During 1892 he embarked in the drug business for him- self at Saticoy and for some years he continued in that town. At the time of the founding of Oxnard he came to the new town and rented a lot containing a cabin of most primitive appear- ance. In that building he started the first drug store in the place. Subsequently he replaced the original building with one of brick, 25x60 feet in dimensions, and conveniently arranged for the conduct of his drug business. His attractive residence in Oxnard is presided over by his wife (a native of Ventura county, and formerly Josephine Kelley) and its pleasures are en- hanced by the presence of their children. Hazel C. Ruth M., and Benjamin S., Jr.
The movement which resulted in the incor- poration of Oxnard had in Mr. Virden a stanch supporter and one appreciative of the benefits accruing therefrom. At all times he has favored measures for the development of the city's re- sources and the introduction of modern improve- ments conducive to the comfort and health of the citizens. Since 1902 he has officiated as clerk of the board of school trustees and mean- while has been a stanch friend of all plans for educational development and for the elevation of the system of public schools. The Citizens Gnb, an organization highly beneficial to the town, numbers him among its directors. Strongly Democratic in his sympathies, he has aided his partv by working as a member of the county cen- tral committee and by acting as a deletrate to the state convention. .'Xfter coming to the coast he was made a Mason in Hucneme Lodee and later identified himself with Oxnard Lodo-e No. ^41, F. & A. M. Beginning as a Rova] Arch Mason in the Ventura" Chapter, he later became
1094
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
a charter member of Oxnard Chapter Xo. 86, of which he acts as high priest. In addition he has become associated with Ventura Command- ery, K. T., and Al Malaikah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Los Angeles, and also belongs to the Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias.
CLAUS A. JOHNSON. Many generations of the Johnson family followed agricultural pursuits in Sweden, where, on a farm near Boras, Elsborslaen, occurred the birth of the gentleman whose name introduces this article and who for some years or until his death, followed the oc- cupation of a contracting mason at San Diego. His parents, John and Sophia (Anderson) John- son, left their native land when somewhat ad- vanced in years and came to the United States, settling at San Diego, where tire father died in April, 1905 ; the mother still makes her home in this city. Their only child, Claus A., was born April 25, 1861, received a public-school education in Sweden, and at the age of fourteen years en- tered upon an apprenticeship to the general mer- cantile business in his home town. April 25, 1881, on the twentieth anniversary of his birth, he landed in New York City after an unevent- ful voyage across the ocean. From New York he proceeded west as far as Illinois, where for more than a year he was employed in the factory of the Illinois Steel Coinpany at Joliet, Will county. On leaving that place he was apprenticed to the mason's trade in Joliet, but within a few months removed to Chicago, where he completed the trade. In 1886 he began to take contracts for mason work and in time became extensively interested in the erection of large structures.
Overwork in the interests of his occupation undermined Mr. Johnson's health and for that reason he relinquished his work in Chicago, after which he removed to California and trav- eled throughout the southern part of the state until he was able to take up active work once more. Securing land ten miles east of San Diego in Spring valley he planted citrus and deciduous fruit trees and improved a valuable orchard of nineteen acres. The house on the place was erected by him, and other improvements are also the result of his handiwork. In order to secure water for domestic purposes and for irrigation he piped a conduit from the mountains, this giv- ing him the very finest qualitv of water and greatly enhancing the value of his orchard. In i8gg he commenced to take contracts for stone and mason work in San Diego, and thereafter made San Diego his home and business head- quarters. Among his important contracts was that for all of the brick work at Fort Rosecrans, and he also had the contracts for the Pickwick
theatre, the American National Bank building; and the Fox-Heller block.
While living in Joliet Mr. Johnson married Miss Clara Johnson, a native of Sweden. They became the parents of seven children, namely : Frank, who was associated with his father, in contracting ; Clara and Ellen, who are now study- ing nursing in the Battle Creek Sanitarium ; Fannie, Richard, Ida and Adelena, who are at home. For several years Mr. Johnson served as a school trustee in the Spring valley district while he was making his home on his fruit farm. His political views were somewhat diflferent from those expressed by the bulk of the American voters and brought him into sympathy with the Socialists. After coming to San Diego he identi- fied himself with the Chamber of Commerce, while fraternally he belonged to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. Upon the organization, June 30, 1904, of the Scandinavian Society of San Diego (in the founding of which he was actively interested) he was chosen the first secre- tar)' of the body and at the expiration of the term was honored with the office of president, which he filled acceptably up to the time of his death. ■
MRS. SARAH BLAIR SCOTT. For many years a resident of Oceanside, Mrs. Sarah Blair Scott is well known throughout the community in which she resides, and has the sincere respect and esteem of her neighbors and friends, who have ever found her a kind, genial, helpful com- panion, always ready to aid the needy and cheer the afflicted. A daughter of William Blair, she was born in Ireland, of honored Scotch ancestry.
William Blair was born and brought up in Scotland, being reared to farming pursuits. He removed to Ireland when a young man, and from there immigrated with his family to the United States, settling in Maryland, on the banks of the Qiesapeake Bay, near Baltimore, where he resided imtil his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Hester Moore, spent her entire life in Ireland, dying in early womanhood. Of their six children, three are living, Sarah, the special subject of this sketch, being the fifth child in order of birth Three of the sons served in the Civil war, William B., of San Jacinto, Cal., serv- ing in an Illinois regiment ; Tliomas, living in Chapin, 111., also serving in an Illinois regiment ; while John, who enlisted in an Illinois regiment, was killed while in service.
But three years of age when she came with her father and the family to Maryland, Sarah Blair lived there a few years, and then went to Spring- field, 111., where she completed her education in the public schixils. In December, 1877, she mar-
^^^^=^ <v^t^.^^--
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1097
Tied Frederick Woodruff, a native of Louisville, Ky., and they began life together in Tracy, Minn., where Mr. Woodruff was first engaged in farming, and afterwards in business pursuits. Coming to California in 1890, he was engaged in the butcher business at Oceanside until his death, in 1892. In 1894 Mrs. Woodruff married for her second husband Levi L. Scott, who was •a soldier in the Civil war. In 1891 Mr. Scott removed from Iowa to San Diego county, locat- ing in Oceanside, where he opened a barber shop, which he conducted successfully until his death, in 1901. He was an industrious, enterprising man, well liked and highly esteemed, and be- longed to the Masonic order. Mrs. Scott has lived retired since the death of Mr. Scott, having a cozy home on Second street. She is a woman ■of strong personality, and is a firm believer in 1:he tenets of the Christian Church.
WILLIAAI H. FREER. No more pro- minent family than that established in Califor- nia by William H. Freer holds rank among •the representative citizens of Los Angeles ■county, the name l^eing especially well known and esteemed in El Monte and vicinity. The pioneer. William H. Freer, was a native of the middle west states, his birth having occurred on the little Miami river in Ohio, February 5, 1814. He was a son of Jonathan Freer, who was born in North Carolina and became a pioneer settler of Ohio, where with his wife, formerly Hannah Swords, of Virginia, he en- gaged in farming. He finally removed to Randolph county, Ind., and thence to Missouri, locating in Atchison county, where his death eventually occurred. His wife survived him for manj^ years, her death occurring in Cali- fornia. William H. Freer engaged as a farmer in Atchinson county. Mo., in which state he was married and in 1849 came across the plains to California with his family, consist- ing of his wife, three children, his mother, two sisters and two brothers, one of the brothers dying en route. They traveled by ox-teams via the Tmckee route and were five months making the journey, traveling continuously from May to October. Their first winter was spent on the Stanislaus river in San Joaquin county, where INfr. Freer engaged in making saddle trees. In the spring of 1850 he lo- cated in Santa Clara county at Berryessa, and on Penetentia creek, three miles from San Jose, purchased a small farm and began work as a farmer and horticulturist. In 1851 he tried mining for a time, but not caring for the life ho soon returned to his ranch and as time passed continued to add to his first purchase tmtil he owned one liundred and seventy-five
acres. In the meantime, in 1869, he had made a trip to Southern California and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of the old Dalton tract. In 1875 he decided to locate here permanently and accordingly brought his family to the property, one and a half miles north of El 'Monte, the land lying on the banks of the San Gabriel river and being ex- ceedingly fertile. He improved the ranch by the erection of a fine residence, barns and out- buildings, good fences, and the setting out of fruit, walnuts, etc. Later he purchased three hundred and seventeen acres of the old Tibbett place, paying $5,000 and selling it during the boom of 1887 for $72,000. He was a very successful business man, combining good judg- ment with decision of character, which en- abled him to see and take advantage of the many golden opportunities presented in the early days of the state. His death occurred February 16. 1902, removing from the com- munity a citizen highly esteemed and one whose place could never be filled.
In Grundy county. Mo., November 25, 1840. ^Ir. PVeer was united in marriage with Zerelda Stucker, who was born in Indiana, March 15, 1824, a daughter of John and Susanna Stucker, natives of ^^^oodford county, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Freer became the parents of the follow- ing children : Alexander, who died in Los An- geles county in 1870: James B.. a resident of El Monte : Ellen, who died in infancy in Missouri: Matilda: Jonathan Perry, who died in 1861 ; John H., residing at Arcadia; Martin, located on the old home place : Hannah, who became Mrs. Dobbins and died in Tehachapi ; Thom'as, a resident of El Monte; Delilah, Mrs. Lowrv. who died in the home in 1887: Mary L., wife of Thomas Stucker, of Los Angeles ; Julia, who died in .Santa Clara county when one year old; and Jackson, and Lee both of El Monte.
JOHN WESLEY SMITH. Distinguished for his braverv, courage and coolness on the field of battle, John W. Smith, of Fernando, won for himself an honorable record as a soldier dur- ing the Civil war. and is now just as faithfully performing all the duties devolving upon him as a public-spirited, enterprisins: citizen. A native of Maryland, he was born February 5, 1839, in Baltimore, where he lived until fourteen years old, obtaining his education in the city schools.
Removing then to Illinois, he followed farming until T862, when he enlisted, at Peoria, in Com- pany B, Eighty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Sharpshooters, which was assigned to the Third Brigade, Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps. Subsequently he took part in thirty-six
1098
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
battles and in numerous skirmishes, being at first with the Army of the Cumberland, and later marching- with Sherman to the Sea. The last battle in which he participated was that of Ben- tonville, N. C. He took part in the Grand Re- view at Washington, D. C, where his division was awarded the first premium. He was fortun- ate in war, receiving no wounds of consequence, although while crossing Shepard"s Run, after the battle at Missionary Ridge, he was injured in the right hip and for a time was confined to the hos- pital. He was also under the care of a physician for some days on account of being sunstruck.
Having been mustered out of service at the close of the war, Mr. Smith returned to Illinois, where he continued in his agricultural work un- til 1888, being quite successful. Coming then to Fernando, Cal, he purchased a lot in the village and erected a dwelling house, which he occupied until the erection of his present residence, when he sold it at an advantage. Mr. Smith delights in an active life, and is now kept busily employed in setting out and pruning fruit trees, an occupation in which he is an adept.
While a resident of Illinois Mr. Smith married Delia Sitzer, and they are the parents of five children. Sheridan M., of Fernando, married Bertha Hoyt, and they have four children, Lyle, Cliflford and Clinton (twins) and Floyd; Grace E., Mrs. Niblock. of Los Angeles, has one child, Nina; and Frank M.. Ida C. and Ernest T.. are all deceased.
JEAN TILLAT. Born in the Pyrenees mountains, in France, December 25, ,1869, Jean Tillat was the son of Joseph and j\larie (Hauquet) Tillat, both natives of the same place, where they passed their entire lives. They had one son and one daughter, Jean be- ing the younger child. He was reared on his father's farm and alternated his home duties with attending the common schools. He re- mained at home until he was twenty years old, when, in 1889, he came to America, crossed the continent and located in Los An- geles. He was qualified only for farming at that time and shortly after his arrival secured employment on a farm in the vicinity of Santa Monica, beginning at the bottom and patient- ly working his way round by round to a bet- ter position. He engaged in general farming and the sheep business for some time, when he went to Arizona and there accepted a po- sition as commissary on a large sheep ranch in the northern part of the territory. After five years he returned to California and was located for a time in Los Angeles. With his acchmulated means he decided to engage in- dependently in sheep raising and accordingly
purchased a band of sheep in Arizona and brought them to California and herded them in Los Angeles county. For four years he continued at this work in partnership with Anton Earth, of Los Angeles, after which they sold out and dissolved partnership.
In 1906 Mr. Tillat bought his present ranch of twenty acres near Arcadia, known as a part of the Sierra Vista tract, and began its im- provement and cultivation, erecting a com- fortable home, barns and outbuildings. He was married in Los Angeles to Miss Cather- ine Martinez, who was also born in the Py- renees and they have one daughter, Mary Louise. Mr. Tillat belongs to the French Be- nevolent Society of Los Angeles. Politically he is a stanch adherent of Republican princi- ples. He is liberal and enterprising and held in higfh esteem bv all Avho know him.
CLEASON AMBLER. For a radius of many miles surrounding the village of Mesa Grande the name given above is well known, for not only is Mr. Ambler postmaster of the village and clerk of the county, but as propri- etor of a general store in Mesa Grande he has won many friends and well-wishers by his courteous treatment and straightforward busi- ness dealings. He is a son of E. P. and Mary A. (Willingmeyer) Atnbler, both natives of Pennsylvania, their home now being in St. Louis, Mo., where the father is engaged in in- stalling steam and hot-water heating plants.
Among the six children that were born to his parents Cleason Ambler was the eldest, and was born in Belleville, St. Clair county, 111., July 21, 1873. Scholastic privileges were not lacking in his boyhood years, and be it said to his credit that he made the most of his oppor- tunities. He first attended the public schools of St. Louis, was later graduated from the high school, and still later took a three-year course in the manual training school of that city. For a short time after leaving school he held a clerkship in the same city, but subsequently for two years assisted his father in his business. After attaining his majority he determined to strike out in the world on his own account and the year 1895 witnessed his arrival in Califor- nia. Mining and prospecting claimed his at- tion for the first two or three years, after which lie was interested in the cattle business in Yuma. .\riz., for a time. Going from there to Granite, Mont., he secured employment with the Granite Bi-Z\letallic Company, and during the three years of his association wath the com- pany gave excellent satisfaction as foreman of the works.
In the meantime Mr. Ambler has established
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD..
1U99
domestic ties by Ins marriage with Carrie B. Stone ill iSgg. Locating with his family in San Diego in 1901, ATr. Ambler purchased the stock and good-will from one of the merchants of the town, and three months later added to his first purchase by buying- out another store. Upon selling out his interests in San Diego two years later he came to Mesa Grande and in May, 1903, purchased the general merchandise store of which he is now the proprietor. Con- trary to his father's political belief Mr. Ambler is a Democrat, and takes considerable interest in all matters that afifect the public welfare. While a resident of St. Louis Mr. Ambler be- came a member of the Baptist Church, and he still adheres to the faith of that body of be- lievers. His wife, however, is a member of the Christian Church, holding membership in the church of that denomination in San Diego. Sev- eral fraternal associations claim Mr. Ambler's membership, prominent among being the Elks and Ma.-^ons.
ANTHONY CLARENCE RECHE, JR. There are many fine ranches in San Diego county that as regards productions and im- provements will compare favorably with any other in this part of the state. A large num- ber of these places are owned by men com- paratively young in years, who started in the world with but little more capital than an un- limited amount of energy and perseverance, and who are succeeding to an eminent degree in their agricultural labors. Prominent among this number is Anthony C. Reche, Jr., whose father, Anthony C. Reche, Sr., was a pioneer of this place, and gave to Fallbrook its ])resent name. He is a native and to the manner born, his birth having occurred June 24, 1873, on a farm not far distant from the one that he now occupies.
Born January 31. 1833, in Montreal, Canada, Anthony C. Reche, Sr., was taken by his par- ents, in 1835, to Rochester, N. Y., where he was reared and educated. He there learned the trades of carpenter and millwright, and in February, 1854, started by the way of the Isthmus for the Pacific coast. Locating at Santa Clara, he followed his trade in that vi- cinity for two years, and was afterwards em- ployed in mining in Calaveras and Mariposa counties, in the latter place also putting up quartz mills. Going to Visalia, Tulare coun- ty, in 1858, he there followed' his trade about three years, erecting sawmills and flour mills. The following year he was similarly engaged in San Jose, from there going, in 1862, to San Bernardino, where he operated a general store for twelve months. Removing thence to
Temecula, he ranched for a year, and then re- moved to El Monte, Los Angeles county, where he worked at his trade for a few years, in the mean time going back to Temecula to build a large mill, finally settling there in 1868, and living there a year. Returning to this country in 1869, he opened a general store, keeping miner's supplies, at Pala, where he re- mained a year. Locating in the old town of Fallbrook in 1870, he took up land, and for six years was employed in farming. Migrat- ing then to San Bernardino, he was for fifteen years a resident of that place, but in 1891 he returned to Fallbrook, and here resided until his death. May 27, 1808. He was a Democrat in politics, a man of many fine qualities of heart and mind, and a member of the Catholic Church.
February 22, 1861, at Visalia, Cal., Anthony C. Reche, Sr., married Menora C. Cayton, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of Alexander S. and Elizabeth (Droullard) Cayton. Mr. Cay- ton died in November, 1849, '" California, and his widow subsequently married for her sec- ond husband Dr. R. Matthews. In 1854 Dr. Matthews and family came by ox-teams to California, and was the first white man to settle in Visalia. Mrs. Matthews, now a bright and active woman of eighty-three years, is still living. Ten children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Reche, Sr., namely: Vital C, of Ocean Park ; Anthony B., born in 1864, and living only one month; Angenora L., wife of J. H. Maag, of Los Angeles: Helene H., wife of C. S. Wilson, of Big Pine, Inyo county; Charles L., of Banning; An- thony C, Jr., the subject of this sketch ; Flora L.. the first white girl born in Fallbrook, and who became the wife of W. H. Buchanan, of Redondo ; Bernie E., born in San Bernardino, and now living with his brother Anthony, with whom he is in partnership : Eugenia M., wife of F. W. Roberti, of Seattle, Wash. ; and Alma B., wife of L. Fields, of Redondo. Mrs. Reche and her mother. Mrs. Matthews, are living near -Fallbrook, where they are held in high esteem and respect.
But three years old when the family re- moved to San Bernardino, .\nthony C. Reche, Ir., obtained a practical education in the com- mon schools of that town, and subsequently was for two years track walker for the South- ern Pacific Railroad Company. Removing Ihen to Fallbrook, where he has the distinction of being the first child born of white parents in the place, he worked by the montli until 1901. Starting then as a rancher on his own account, he is now, in partnership with his brother, carrying on general farming with ex- ceptionally satisfactory results, having seven
1100
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
hundred acres of land on the St. Margaret ranch. Progressive and enterprising, he has proved himself a thorough master of his call- ing, and as a young man of integrity and hon- or is fully entitled to the high position which he holds in the estimation of the community.
In 1903 Mr. Reche married Mamie Free- man, a daughter of Jonas Freeman, of whom a brief biographical sketch ma}' be found else- where in this volume, and thev have one child, a daughter named Julia Catherine. Fraternal- Iv Mr. Reche is a member of Fallbrook Lodge No. 339, I. O. O. F.
DAVID CRISE, M. D. The initial period of the agricultural development of America found the Greise family immigrating from Germany to cast in their fortunes with those of other pioneers, and several successive gen- erations lived and labored upon Pennsylvania farms. Among the children of George Greise, a farmer of Fayette county, Pa., was a son, George W., who was born and reared upon the farm in that county, and he it was who changed the spelling of the family name from its original form to the mode in present use. During the '70s he removed to Ohio, but after the death of his wife, Rachel, he returned to Pennsylvania and there spent his last years in retirement. His wife was a daughter of Daniel Stough, a pioneer farmer of Westmoreland county. Pa., and of German ancestrj'. Both families were identified with the Lutheran Church, their ancestors in the old country hav- ing been among those who followed Luther in the Reformation.
Upon the old homestead in Westmoreland county, Pa., David Crise was born May 23. 1846, being a son of George W. and Rachel Crise. At an early age he proved himself an apt and diligent pupil in local schools, where he advanced so rapidly in his studies that it was decided to educate him for a profession. In accordance with his preferences he was sent to the Jefferson Medical College of Philadel- phia, from which he was graduated in March, 1872, with the degree of M. D. Opening an office at Mendon. Pa., he gained his first pro- fessional experience in that town, whence a year later he removed to Washington county, in the same state, and after four years became a practitioner of Beach City, Stark county, Ohio, where he built up a growing practice during the ten years of his residence in the town. In July, 1S88, he came to California and opened an office at Escondido, where now he has the distinction of being, in point of years of nracticc. the oldest physician in the town, and one of the oldest in the county of San
Diego. Through membership in the County, State and American Medical Associations, and through the careful perusal of medical jour- nals, he keeps in touch with every advance made in the profession, and is a constant stu- dent of therapeutics. In addition to possessing the advantages derived from years of practi- cal experience in the profession, he possesses undoubted ability in the diagnosis of intricate diseases and in the treatment of the same, which qualities, coupled with his humanitarian principles and genial sympathy, eminently adapt him to fill a high place in the local med- ical field. While he has made a specialty of the diseases of women and has been unusually successful in that line, his knowledge of medi- cine is broad and varied, and is not limited to any one department of materia medica.
The marriage of Dr. Crise took place in Pennsylvania June 27, 1872. and united him with Lucetta Null, who was born and reared in that state. Five children were born of their union. The eldest, Vivi Anna, is the widow of Henry Haliday and resides in Escondido. The second-born, Lola E., married H. W. Cleave of Los Angeles. The eldest son, Bruce L., was graduated from the Escondido high school in 1898 and from the medical depart- ment of the University of Southern California in 1903, after which lie spent one year as an interne in the Sacramento city hospital, and then became associated with his father in the practice of medicine and surgery, with a specialty of the latter branch of the profession ; his wife was a Miss Davies of Sacramento. The two remaining sons of the family are David R., a well driller in Escondido. and Harry N., a graduate of the Redlands school. The family are identified with tlie Congregational Church and are contributors to all movements for the religious, moral and educational advancement of their comnmnity.
FRANCIS P. BROOKS. A host of friends have witnessed the efforts of Francis P. Brooks in his development and cultivation of a ranch in the vicinity of Norwalk and have appre- ciated his industry, energy' and perseverance, which have contributed no little toward his suc- cess. Mr. Brooks is a native of Nebraska, his birth having occurred in Butler county, Sep- tember 6, 1877. His parents, Noah and Esther (Shuggart) Brooks, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Illinois, located as pioneers in Nebraska, where they made their hom.e for some years In the fall of 1901 they came to California and Mr. Brooks now owns a ranch of thirty acres in the vicinity of his son's ranch. He is a Republican in politics and
^f^^^^^tiC^
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1103
o.ctive in the advancement of the principles he endorses, although he has never cared for offi- cial recognition. He is a member of the Sev- enth Day Adventist Church. Of their three children all are living in California.
Francis P. Brooks Avas educated in the com- mon schools of Nebraska and also spent one year in the Lincoln State Normal, after which he returned home and engaged in farming with his father. At twenty years of age he became dependent upon his own resources and after farming in the middle west for two years came to California in 1901. Subsequently he traveled all over the state, locating for a time in Mendo- cino, Humboldt county, and for one year car- ried on a ranch in Dinuba, Tulare county. About four years ago he came to Norwalk and ;he first year purchased his present property, which consists of ten acres located one and one- half miles southeast of town, which he has since improved and cultivated. He also leases about eighty acres, devoted to the raising of grain. He is likewise interested in team con- tracting, holding a contract at the present writ- ing for the hauling of pipe for the Murphy Oil Company.
Mr. Brooks' marriage occurred in 1898 and united him with Miss Edna Curtis, a native of Nebraska, and a daughter of Charles Curtis, whose death occurred in Santa Ana, Cal. They have two children, Oris and Hazel. Mr. Brooks is a Republican in politics and in religion be- longs to the Seventh Day Ad\'entist Church.
MAJOR THOMAS Y. ENGLAND. Al- though never a permanent resident of Red- lands, no man was more interested in its de- velopment and upbuilding than the late Major Thomas Y. England, who since he first be- came interested in California gave his time and attention to the beautifying of his winter home, known as Prospect Park and open to the public as one of the show places of the city. Mr. England was born in Wilmington, Del, May 28, 1837, a son of James England, of Quaker ancestry and English origin. The father engaged as a leather merchant and manufacturer of Philadelphia. During the Civil war Thomas Y. England served in the First Regiment Delaware Infantry, first as quartermaster, later as first lieutenant, and was then made commissary of subsistence on the staffs of Generals Hancock, Meade and Wilson, with the rank of captain, but when he resigned was given the rank of major. After leaving high school he became associated with hfs father "and they succeeded in building up a lar^e and lucrative bu^'ness. in fact, one of the
largest concerns in the world of its character, it being incorporated under the name of Eng- land, Walton & Co., and he served as its pres- ident until his death. Since that time the busi- ness has continued with Mr. Walton as presi- dent. Mr. England became an habitual visitor to Southern California and finally began the improvement of what is known as Prospect Park, a magnificent orange grove and park of sixty acres, which is one of the sightly places in a city of beauty and magnificent improve- ments. Major England and his son J. W. were interested in bringing water into Red- lands and were unusually active in this line during the dry years, when it was thought im- possible to save the orchards. For many years he served as president of the South Mountain Water Company, and was also president of the Orange Growers' Association. Fraternally he was a Mason, and in his home in Philadelphia Vv^as associated with the Grand Army of the Republic and Loyal Legion. He refused a commission in the Regular army after the close of the war in order to devote his entire time and attention to his business. In politics he was a stanch advocate of the principles ad- vocated in the platform of the Republican par- ty ; in religion he was a member of the Bap- tist Church.
The death of Major England occurred Jan- uary 2, 1906; he left a widow formerly^ Miss E. Clarissa Combs, a native of New Jersey, born near Woodbury, and v/hom he married October 17, 1862. Her father, Thomas Combs, was also born in New Jersey of English de- scent, and there engaged as a farmer until his retirement, since which time he made his home in Philadelphia. He was a member of the So- ciety of Friends, and a much esteemed and re- spected citizen. His wife was formerly Anna Haines, a native of Philadelphia, and a daugh- ter of Joseph Haines, a builder by occupation. Mrs. England became the mother of the fol- lowing children : James William, a prominent horticulturist who makes his home in Red- lands ; Martha E., wife of Charles S. Walton^ president of the England, Walton & Co. manu- facturing interests ; and Clarissa E., wife of Edwin A. Landell Jr., a leather merchant of Philadelphia. Mrs. England is a member of the Baptist Church and a generous contributor to all its charities. To her much of the credit is due for the development of Prospect Park, for she was able to give even more time than her husband because of his business interests which demanded his attention. She has been very liberal in all movements tending toward the general welfare of the community and is always counted upon to further the best in-
1104
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
tere'sts of the city. She spends her summers in her home in Philadelphia and her winters in the sweet sunny land of Southern California.
GEORGE W. GRIFEITHS. Since 1850 George W. Griffiths has been a resident of Cal- ifornia and no citizen has been more interested in the development of the country and its ad- vancement among the sister states of the nation. He was a lad of ten years when he came west, his birth having occurred in Detroit, Mich., August 18, 1840. His father, Charles Griffiths was born in Wales, and in young manhood went to London, thence to America and after locating in the middle west engaged in steamboating on the lakes between Buiifalo and Detroit. He was also similarly employed on the Mississippi river between St. Louis and New Orleans, becoming captain of a steamer and later part owner, con- tinuing in this occupation about twenty years. In 1849 he crossed the plains to California, with two comrades, Caleb Gosling, of Napa county, Cal., and George Hughes, of San Francisco, making the journey in ninety days with an ex- press wagon and six mules. Their plan was to have a dinner at four o'clock in the afternoon and then continue the journey to a good camp- ing place for the night, and thus lie down to sleep without the necessity of drawing attention to their camp by a fire. This undoubtedly saved them much trouble from the Indians. After his arrival in San Francisco Mr. Griffiths with Gov- ernor Burnett built the first stern wheel steamer that crossed the bay. Later he went to Sacra- mento and engaged in the hotel business, there meeting with a success which brought him large returns, prices at that day being one dollar per meal. Later he farmed and then followed min- ing in Nevada. Returning to San Francisco he made that place his home until his death. Fra- ternally he was a Mason and an Odd Fellow and prominent in both organizations. Politically he was a stanch Republican. His wife was formerly Mary Ann Whitfield, a native of England, born in the vicinity of London ; her father, Walter Whitfield, settled in Michigan, near Detroit, where he purchased land and farmed until his death. Mrs. Griffiths followed her husband to California in 1850, via the Isthmus of Panama, with her son, George W., of this review, and daughter, Mary E., now Mrs. Marshall, of Santa Rosa. A son, William L., born later is now a merchant in Suisun, Cal. Mrs. Griffiths died in San Francisco.
The trip to California remains a vivid recol- lection in the memory of George W. Griffiths, the steamer trip to the east side of the isthmus, the mule-back ride across, and thence to San Francisco bv the old sidewheeler. His education
was received principally in the public schools of Sacramento, he being later sent east via Nica- ragua to Burlington College, New Jersey, enter- ing as junior and graduating therefrom at a later date. He then took up the study of medicine under the instruction of his uncle in Detroit, Mich., Dr. Bradie, with whom he remained a year, then returning to California via the Isth- mus of Panama. Upon his return to the state he engaged in farming in Solano county, Cal., later in Southern California and then in Hum- boldt county. About 1886 he returned to South- ern California and located in Orange county where he farmed several thousand acres of land at one time, he and his sons together farming more acres than any other individual in South- ern California. Dr. Griffiths was always pro- gressive in his ideas and the latest methods and improvements found him an ardent advocate, and their farming apparatus was always of the latest make and most modern that could be obtained.
About 1904 Dr. Griffiths retired from active cares and made his home in San Francisco un- til the great earthquake of 1906, when in the fall of that year he came to Los Angeles and is now associated with the real estate and oil land firm of Griffiths, Fackenthall & Griffiths, located at No. 131 East Fifth street, in the King Edward building. He was married in Marin county, Cal., to Miss Elizabeth Moore, who was bom in Mich- igan and died in Orange county, Cal., leaving five children, namely : Mary Catherine, Mrs. Dowler, of San Francisco; Charles Ed- win, of Bakersfield; George W. Jr., a con- tractor in Covina ; William L.. a partner with his father and also a large farmer near Covina; and Walter B., a farmer near Napa, Cal. Dr. Griffiths has been a member of the Episcopal Church for forty years, his wife having also been a member of that denomination. Politically he is a stanch Republican and gives his support to the advancement of the principles he endorses.
PATRICIO ONTIVEROS. The oldest of the thirteen children of that noble Spanish pio- neer, Juan Pacifico Ontiveros, Patricio Onti- veros, over whose head has passed eighty years, is physically strong, mentally alert and temperamentally happy. While no two people attain longevity from an observance of the same rules of life, there is reason to believe that calm and temperate people have the first claim on borrowed time, and are the greatest strategists in outwitting the biblical injunction of the threescore years and ten. This is em- phasized in the life of Mr. Ontiveros, whose principal activities have centered around the ranch upon which he has lived for half a cen- tury, and of which he at present owns two hun-
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHIC.\L RECORD.
1105
dred and twenty acres. This ranch has as its principal resources grain and beans. Its en- vironment has taken on the character of the owner, is substantial in equipment, conserva- tive in tendency, and vmeventful in its routine. It is one of the landmarks of the community, and seems to have always taught its lessons of thrift, industry and wise conservatism.
Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Ontiveros comes from a wealthy and distinguished family of California, he was unable to attend school during his childhood on account of their scarc- ity. He was born March 17, 1826, in Los An- geles county, where his father was sole propri- etor of nine thousand acres of land. In 1856, the year of the famih^ removal from Los An- geles to Santa Barbara" county, Mr. Ontiveros married a native daughter of the former coun- ty, Serrano Leonor, a representative also of an old and prominent Spanish family. Mrs. Onti- veros died in 1898, at the age of fifty-eight, hav- ing become the mother of fourteen children, of whom four died in infancy. Those who reached maturity are as follows : Delphina, who became the wife of Geronimo Carranza ; Rosa, de- ceased, formerly the wife of Feliz Carranza ; Sarah, the wife of Miguel Carranza ; Natalia, single ; Charles, who married Virginia Gon- zales and has six children ; Thomas, who mar- ried Paulina Gonzales ; and Pablo, Zoilo, Na- poleon and Leandro, the four last mentioned unmarried. The wives of Charles and Thomas Ontiveros, who were in maidenhood Virginia and Paulina Gonzales, are members of a very prominent pioneer Spanish family of Santa Barbara county.
Though never active in politics, Mr. Onti- veros has faithfully adhered to the principles and issues of the Republican party. In religion he is a Catholic and liberally supports the church of that denomination at Sisquoc. The breeding and culture of generations of Span- iards are reflected in the manners of Mr. Onti- veros, and he bears an enviable reputation in the business, social and religious departments of his home communitv.
JOHN N. TURPENTINE. In tracing the genealogy of this i^rominent citizen of Escon- dido we find that his ance.stors were identified with the colonial history of our country and bore an active part in the early wars. The ma- ternal grandfather, Capt. James Harris, who was an "officer in the war of 1812, descended in direct line from John Harris, the founder of the citv of Harrisburg. the capital of Pennsyl- vania. ' The paternal grandfather, Major Sam- uel Turrentinc. who was also an oificcr in the
war of 1812, gained his first experience in mil- itary tactics while serving in the first struggle with England, and his faithful service in that campaign led to his selection as an officer when war was again declared with the same country about thirty-five years later. About the time of the second war he removed to Ten- nessee and there remained until his death some years later. The Harris and Turrentine fam- ilies were both stanch allies of the Whig party during its existence and both proved their loy- alty to. the stars and stripes in times of peace and war.
Among the children of Major Turrentine was Rev. Wilson Turrentine, a native of North Carolina, who married Elvira Harris, and re- mained for m.any years a resident of Tennes- see. When deatli came to terminate his activ- ities, December 17, 1899, he was then ninety- four years of age ; his wife had passed away at seventv-six years, and her father lived to be within four years of a full century. John N., the subject of this review, was born Novem- ber 2, 1845, '^^'^' 5" boyhood the advantages of a private school and a course in Lookout Col- lege were given the lad, who early showed signs of a fine mind and aptitude for study. These qualities, combined with religious fer- vor, led him to enter the ministry of the Meth- odist Episcopal denomination, attached to the Central Tennessee conference, under which he labored in assignments in that region.
Coming to Califorina in 1885, Mr. Turren- tine first settled in Tulare county and in the fall of 1886 was chosen pastor of the Visalia Methodist Episcopal Church. After two years he removed to Escondido and during the fol- lowing year he officiated as pastor of the church of his denomination at this point, to which he yet remains a generous contributor. For three terms he held the office of city clerk, and during the first administration of Presi- dent McKinley he was appointed postmaster, which position he now fills with efficiency and fidelity. The bond agitation, which for some years demanded considerable attention from the taxpayers of Escondido, received due at- tention on his part, and on the occasion of the burning of the bonds, September 9, 1905, he was chosen orator of the day. Ever since cast- ing his first presidential vote for Genera! Grant he has been a firm adherent of the Re- publican party and always supports its prin- ciples with his ballot. While living in Ten- nessee he became a member of the Shelbyville Lodge of Chosen Friends in 1866, and his in- terest in that organization remains unabated. In addition he has been a leading Mason in Consuelo Lodge No. 325, E. & A. M., of which he has officiated as secretary since the organ-
1106
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ization, with the exception of one term, during which he held the office of master.
The marriage of ]\'tr. Turrentine was sol- emnized January 2, 1873, and united him with Mary E. Robinson, daughter of W. T. Robin- son, of Tennessee. Captain Robinson was a man of large talents, exceptional attainments and attractive personality and was beloved wherever known. Descended from a family that sent soldiers to the war of 1812, it was natural that he and three of his brothers should be loyal to the government, and he not only enlisted in the Federal army at the open- ing of the Civil war, but also he raised a com- pany of volunteers and was chosen their cap- tain. The talents which made him successful in war contributed to his prominence in times of peace. As a member of the state legislature and the state senate he represented his con- stituents with honor and dignity, and as judge of Dekalb county he proved himself learned in the law and impartial in its administration. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Turrentine con- sists of four children, namely: Edgar E., cashier of the Escondido Savings Bank; Lucy Harris, at home; Howard B., a clerk in the postoffice ; and Lawrence, a student in the Es- condido high school.
HENRY E. McNEALY. The purchase of the quarter section of land on which he now engages in farming was consummated by Mr. McNealy in 1892, but it was not until ten years later that he removed to the tract and commenced to improve the land. Since coming to the ranch, which is advantageously situated in the San Marcos valley, he has fenced the land and made other needed improvements. Though no longer under the necessity of constant labor, he is happiest when busy and so continues at the head of his ranch in spite of being the possessor of means that would permit of his retirement. Since thirteen years of age he has earned his livelihood and ever since then he has been an indefatigable worker, yet he bears well the burden of his sev- enty-three years, and a stranger would judge him to be on the sunny side of sixty-five years.
A native of Licking county, Ohio, born Oc- tober 13, 1832, Henry E. McNealy was only eleven months old when death deprived him of a mother's afifectionate oversight. His father, Jeremiah, was born in Virginia, but removed to Ohio at an early age and eventually settled in Indiana, where he died. All through his life he was a tiller of the soil, but a series of misfortunes befell him, which obliged his son, Henry E., to take up the burden of self-support at an age when otherwise he would have been in school. For a time he worked as a farm hand and later he
learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed as a journeyman in Indiana, Illinois and Mis- souri. During the spring of 1859 he joined a party of emigrants bound for California and after a journey of six months with ox-teams and wagons he landed in Butte valley, where he en- gaged in mining, but met with no special success. Later he had charge of a pack-train from Oro- ville and Chico, Butte county, to Susanville, Lassen county. Removing to Marysville in 1865 he engaged in the trucking business for two years, and then went into the mountain country, opened a meat market at Susanville, and for four years carried on a butcher's business. The next place to which he removed was Santa Barbara county, where he engaged in the grocery busi- ness at Lompoc for seven years. Afterward he was placed in charge of the wharf at Gaviota, and remained there until 1902, when he removed to his ranch in San Diego county.
The first marriage of Mr. McNealy took place at Oroville, Cal., in September, 1865, and united him with Mirah Emmons, who was born in New York and died at Gaviota, Cal., in 1887, leaving five children, viz. : Edward, Amy, Howard, Ralph and Mark. In 1891 in Santa Barbara county occurred the marriage of Mr. McNealy to Miss Rachel Valenzuela, who was born in that county, being a member of a pioneer Spanish family of that locality. Seven children were born of this union, namely: Owen, Helen, George, Kenneth, Eva, Carl and Ethel. Mrs. McNealy .is a sin- cere member of the Catholic Church and is rear- ing her family in that faith. Ever since attain- ing his majority Mr. McNealy has voted the Re- publican ticket, but he has never been active in public affairs, nor has he desired to participate in the responsibilities of official positions, yet in a quiet, unostentatious way he discharges the duties incumbent upon him as a citizen and a public-spirited man.
JAMES CHARLES WALLACE. Very early in the colonial history of America repre- sentatives of the Wallace family immigrated from Scotland and settled along the Atlantic coast, where, in the development of a new country, they displayed the fortitude and con- stancy characteristic of their ancestors amid the trials besetting them in their home land. The genealogical records show that some of the family lived in Pennsylvania and other branches in TMaryland, whence removal was made to Ohio in the early settlement of the latter state. James C. Wallace, Sr. who was a native of Ohio, became a pioneer farmer of Perrv county in the vicinity of Somerset, and remained there until an attack of typhoid fever terminated his career at fiftv-two vears of
^£^^"9^
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1109
age. When a young man he had married Sarah Plummer, who was born in Ohio of a Quaker family, but did not affiliate with the Society of Friends, having identification with the Baptist Church. Surviving her husband for many years, she attained the great age of one hundred and two j^ears.
In the family of James C. Wallace, Sr., there was a son who bore the father's name and who was born in Perry county, Ohio, September 29, 1835. At the age of four j^ears he was orphaned by his father's death while yet too young to realize the nature of his be- reavement and the extent of his loss. It there- fore became necessary for him to begin to earn his own livelihood at an age when most children are in school and free from responsi- bilities. When he was thirteen years of age he left his mother's home and went to Zanes- ville and from there proceeded by steamboat to New Orleans, thence traveling east as far as Florida, where for two years he was em- ployed at Jacksonville m the grafting of orange trees. The failure of his health caused him to return to Ohio and after a short so- journ at Delaware, that state, he returned to Jacksonville with health restored. A few months later he removed to Crab Orchard Springs, Ky., and subsequently learned the jeweler's trade at Lancaster, Garrard county, following the same for three years in Ken- tucky. During the winters he engaged in hunting and fishing through the south. Even- tually settling at Oxford, Miss., he carried on mercantile pursuits for fourteen years and met with a gratifying degree of success until the outbreak of the Civil war caused the loss of his plantation and other properties. Later he was employed for a year as proctor of the Mississippi State University and held other positions in the south, but in 1870 returned to Ohio to visit his mother, whom he had not seen for twenty-one years.
The war having crippled his chances for success in the south, Mr. Wallace came to California, landing from the steamer at San Pedro, whence he proceeded eastward a few miles and became connected with B. D. Wil- son as foreman of a large ranch. After a year there he went to Los Angeles and worked at the jeweler's trade for a year. Meanwhile he purchased five acres of his present home- stead, paying $500 for the same. At that time the only building between Los Angeles and his property was an adobe stage station and he is now "the oldest settler of this locality. After putting up a small house he turned his attention to the nursery business and mean- time continued at his trade. The second year he added five acres to his ranch and in 1892
purchased twenty-three acres adjoining, all of which he still owns, and in addition he has leased other lands in order to secure the needed acreage for the management of his ex- tensive citrus fruit nursery. His first naval trees he ordered from Australia and he bud- ded the first orange trees in California. At this writing he has fifteen acres of oranges in bearing. The balance of the property is util- ized for nursery purposes.
After settling in the south Mr. Wallace met I\Iiss ^Martha \Vilson, who was born and reared at Oxford, Miss., and they were united in marriage May 22, 1861. Seven children were born of their union, namely : Glencoe ; J. Wiley, who has sixteen acres of coffee and rubber land in Mexico and also owns mining interests in that country ; George A., who as- sists his father in the nursery business and relieves him of its many responsibilities ; Ben- jamin, who practices dentistry in Mexico; Martha, Mrs. Kennedy, whose husband is connected with the Los Angeles Lighting and Power Company; Stella, Mrs. Reynolds, whose husband is a dentist residing in Pasa- dena; and Walter, who resides with his pa- rents, and is a practicing dentist in Los An- geles. In political faith Mr. Wallace is a Democrat.
ARTHUR P. FERL. A prominent citizen in the material upbuilding of San Pedro, Los Angeles county, is Arthur P. Ferl, who has been a resident of this city since December, 1904. He was born in Detroit, Mich., Septem- ber 7, 1865, the fifth in a family of six chil- dren. His father, Peter Henry Ferl, was a native of England, who located in Detroit, Mich., and was engaged in mercantile business until his death. He married Margaret Mc- Donnell, a native of the north of Ireland.
An orphan at seven, Arthur P. Ferl was reared in the home of his older brothers and sister, receiving his education in the public schools until he was thirteen, when he was ap- prenticed to learn the trade of printer. AVhen nineteen years of age he left home and located in Denver, Colo., where he formed a partner- ship with O. L. Smith the same year, the firm being known as Smith & Ferl, printers and publishers, which, in the course of a few years, became one of the largest institutions in the western country. In 1890 A^lr. Ferl sold all his interests in Denver and located in Salt Lake City, where he engaged in the real estate and mining business until 1896, when, having re- ceiveci an appointment in the government service, he went to Washington, D. C, where he began the study of law at the National Law
1110
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
School, after which he took a course in art at the Corcoran Art Gallery. In February, 1902, he was sent to the Philippines on detached service, staying- in the islands two years. In November, 1904, he resigned from the govern- ment service and came to Southern California and in December located in San Pedro, en- gaging in the real estate business. Mr. Ferl has three children, Ronald J., Emily M. and Arthur Bayly.
Fraternally Mr. Ferl is a Mason, being a member of Harmony Lodge No. 17, F. & A. M., of Washington. D. C. Politically he is a Republican, and is active in his efforts to ad- vance the principles he endorses. In the pub- lic affairs of the city he has taken a place of prominence, being one of the organizers of the Chamber of Commerce and its president in 1906. He is president of the Pacific Manu- facturing & Supply Association, chairman of the board of directors of the Harbor City Sav- ings Bank and is identified with many other enterprises in the rapidlv srowing citv of San Pedro.
CHARLES MASON. The identification of Charles Mason with the business interests of San Pedro has brought to him a personal success as well as winning for him a place of importance among the representative citizens of his home town. He is now acting as superintendent of the San Pedro Water Company, with which he has been connected since its organization, and is bringing to the discharge of his duties the ability and energy which have distinguished his career thus far, and which bid fair to place him among the successful men of this section. Although not a native son of California Mr. Mason is a west- erner by birth, having been bom in Florence, Pinal county, Ariz., January 31, 1881. His fa- ther, A. Mason, was a native of Bethel, Me., and with a brother, Charles, crossed the plains in an early day and from California went later to Ari- zona, and in the vicinity of Florence Charles Mason was one of the discoverers of the Silver King mine, of which A. IMason served as super- intendent for eight years. Later he engaged in prospecting and mining with headquarters in Los Angeles, and remaining so occupied until his death, which occurred August 10, i8q2. He was a man of energy and ability and the descend- ant of patriotic ancestry, his grandfather having served valiantly in the Revolutionarv war. Fra- ternally he was a Knight Templar Mason. He is survived by his wife, formerly Mercedes Robles, who was born in Sonera, Mexico, and she now makes her home in Los Angeles. She is the mother of four children, namely: Mercedes, wife of AT. Borquez, of Los Angeles : Charles.
the personal subject of this review : Guadaloupe, wife of Bruce Cass, of Ramona, Indian Territory; and Moses, associated with the firm of Cass & Smurr, of Los Angeles.
Charles Mason was reared to young manhood in Los Angeles, receiving his preliminary edu- cation in the public schools of that place, after which he entered St. Vincent's College. Upon the completion of the course in that institution he was graduated with honors, when he became a student in the Southern California Business College. L'pon leaving school he became as- sociated with Hulse, Bradford & Co., as sales- man, and continued with them for some time, when he became connected with the Sunset Telephone and Telegraph Company. LTpon the organization of the Home Telephone Com- pany he accepted a position on switch-board work and remained with them until 1903, when he resigned, and coming to San Pedro engaged as bookkeeper for the Seaside Water Company. He remained with them until their disorganization, when he became superinten- dent of the new company, that of the San Pedro Water Company. This company supplies water to both San Pedro and Wilmington, its source of supply being from the pumps at the latter place, while at San Pedro they have a reservoir with a capacity of two million, five hun- dred thousand gallons, located on a knoll one hundred and fifty feet above the city and with a sixty-five pound pressure. They have six miles of water mains, from which they supply thirteen hundred consumers, and are constantly extend- ing the lines to meet the needs of the rapidly growing city.
Mr. Mason was married in Los Angeles to Nellie Marie Sessler. a native of Ohio. In his fraternal relations Mr. Mason is a member of the Elks lodge at San Pedro, in which he is chaplain. He is a member of the Giamber of Commerce and takes an active and helpful in- terest in all that pertains to the gro\\"th and progress of the place.
WILLIAM L. RAMEY. One of the flourish- ing industries of San Diego county is the Es- condido Lumber, Hay and Grain Company, proprietors of the Escondido roller and feed mills, wholesale dealers in grain, hay, rolled barley, etc., retail dealers in lumber, brick and cement, and owners of warehouses at Escondido, San Marcos and Buena. The president of the com- Dany, William L. Ramey, was also its organizer. Under the orginial form of organization the com- pany engaged exclusively in the lumber busi- ness, but later articles of incorporation were se- cured and the business was enlarged by the in- troduction of milling, hay, grain, etc., since which
1359858
tbAftAuf M«^niU||
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1113
time there has been a steady and gratifying growth. In addition to the management of the office and yards. Mr. Ramey is vice-president of the Escondido Savings Bank and the Bank of Escondido, and is also the owner of a ranch of one hundred and eighty-five acres near town, on which grain is raised, and shipments are made from the lemon and orange groves to eastern markets.
A native of Champaign county, Ohio. Mr. Ramey was born December lo, 1845, being a son of William and Frances (Neff) Ramey, "the former born in A'irginia of French lineage, the latter born in Pennsylvania. The maternal grandfather, Daniel Nei¥, was a soldier in the Revolution and the w?r of 181 2, and the great- grandfather, Jacob Neff. served in the first strug- gle with Enghnd. Lieutenant-Governor Jacob NefF is a cousin of Mrs. Frances Ramey. About 1829 William and Frances Ramev went to Ohio on their wedding journey and became pioneers of that state. After a number of years they moved to Hancock county, 111., where Mr. Ramev became the owner of farm lands and stock and acquired what was in those davs considered a com.petency. At his death in 1892 he was eighty- two years of age : his wife passed away in 1887, when sevent^^-eight years old.
Bv embarking in the grocery business William L. Ramey became a business man at twenty- two years of age, and later he carried on genera! merchandising in Clayton, 111., but after three years he removed to Ferris, a village on the Ouincy branch of the Chfcago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, in Hancock county, and there he carried on a mercantile store for four years. On account of poor health he came to Califor- nia in 1874 and settled in San Francisco, wdiere he was with the Southern Pacific Railroad Com- pany for six years as their city collector and manager of their city wharf. On fully regaining his health he returned to the east on a vacation, but decided to remain, so forwarded his resig- nation to the railroad officials. For a time he carried on a grain business at Clarinda, Iowa, be- sides which he had charee of the grain elevators at other stations on the Humeston & Shenandoah Railroad. After a vear the railroad company ofifered him special inducements to take charge of various stations, including Andover, Blvthe- dale, Ridg-ewav, Bethany. New Hampton, Albany and Darlington, and he bought grain at all of these places. Owing to a shortage in the crops, his work was unusually difficult and trving. About 1884 he disposed^ of his interests in Iowa and removed to Madison, Neb., where he en- gaged in the hardware business and became a ■stockholder in the First National Bank of Madi- son unon its organization.
Owing to the failure of his wife's health Mr.
Ramey decided to remove to California, and in 1 89 1 he came to this state in company with A. W. Wohlford, now the president of the Bank of Escondido and a stockholder in the Escondido Lumber, Ha}' & Grain Company, he and Mr. Ramey owning the majority of the stock in both enterprises. Their settlement in Escondido has proved most helpful to the business interests of the town, for they are men of high honor, ex- ceptional character, irreproachable integrity, liv- ing up to their obligations and expecting others to do the same. Not a little of the recent de- velopment of the town may be attributed to their foresight, intelligence and enterprise, and they have been promoters of every measure for the upbuilding of local interests.
The first marriage of Mr. Ramey took place at Cartage. Ill, October 10, 1872, and united him with Miss Helena Freas, who was born in that state and died in California in September, 1892. In the fall of 1894 he married Mrs. Florence Stevenson, by whom he has a daughter, Florence, now a student in the Escondido schools. By her former marriage Mrs. Ramey has two sons, namely : Lloyd Stevenson, cashier of the Bank of Escondido; and Frank Stevenson, manager of the supply department of the Sunset Telephone Company at Los Angeles. While living in Han- cock county. III, Mr. Ramey was made a Mason in 1872 in the Carthage lodge, and afterward was raised to the chapter and commandery de- grees; both'in Illinois and at Madison, Neb., he was an officer in the lodge and active in its work. Politically he votes the Republican ticket and is intelligently conversant with public affairs. With his family he holds membership in the Escondido Congregational Church.
WESLEY HASKELL. The family repre- sented by this enterprising busiiiess man came to the United States in an early period and set- tled in New England, where his father, Rev. C. L. Haskell, a man of fine mental attainment and extended influence, long served as pastor in Methodist Episcopal churches in the state of Maine and rose to a position of eminence in his denomination.
The son. Wesley, was born at East Boothbay, Me. He is known to be a self-made man of cul- ture and refinement, having educated himself in the eastern schools and at Boston University, where he acquired a broad and liberal education. He was ordained to the ministry of the Congrega- tional denomination and has held pastorates in Providence, R. I., and in Peoria and Rockford, III., in each of which places he ministered to large and influential congregations. Upon leaving the central states in 1Q02 he came to California where for a brief period he preached in San
1114
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Francisco and Oakland, and afterward acted as pastor of the First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles. On ^account of failing health, and by the advice of his physician he gave up the min- istry and entered upon business 'affairs. It is a matter of remark among his acquaintances that he is possessed of unusual ability as a bus- iness man and the result of his shrewd man- agement and keen foresight is evidenced in the present growing condition of his enterprises.
The Ocean Park IMilling and Manufacturing Company, a consolidation of Groesbeck & Ritchie and the Ocean Park Planing Mill Company, of which Mr. Haskell is the president, is located at Ocean Park. This establishment is one of the largest manufacturing concerns of its kind on the coast. The plant is equipped with ma- chinery of the most modern and approved pat- terns ; its equipment, indeed, being surpassed by perhaps no mill in all of Southern California. This concern makes a specialty of fine furniture of every description and mill work in all its branches.
Mr. Haskell is also interested in insurance. He is the supreme treasurer of the Commoners of America, a fraternal beneficial order with headquarters at Los Angeles, chartered under the laws of the state of Cahfornia for the mu- tual benefit of its members and their beneficiaries. This order has surpassed in growth since its organization anything known in the history of fraternal insurance in the L'nited States.
No citizen of Southern California possesses a firmer faith in its future than does Mr. Haskell, and he proves his faith by his continued connec- tion with its business interests. No section of the country has interested him to such a degree as this, and on the other hand no business man has had its interests more at heart. In every com- munity citizens of intelligence, broad culture, liberal views, keen sagacity and wise forethought are valued acquisitions, and he has proved to be such in his social and business relations. In na- tional politics he votes with the Republicans, but in local matters he considers national prob- lems to be of less importance than the selection of men of high honor and accented standing for such positions as are in the gift of the citizens. The Masonic fraternity numbers him among its warm supporters, and in addition he is affiliated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
GEORGE ELLO CROSS. In 1885 George EUo Cross came to California with his parents and since that time has been a resident of this section of the state, now being located in the vicinity of Puente and engaged in general farm- ing and the wholesale hay and grain business. He was born in Cape Vincent, Jefferson county.
N. Y., August 6, 1874; his father, George Cross, was born in Chaumont, N. Y., and engaged as a farmer. His death occurred in 1877. His pater- nal grandfather was born in New England, of Scotch descent. His mother was in maidenhood Harriet Canfield McPherson, also a native of Jefferson county, and the daughter of William McPherson, who was born in New Hampshire of Scotch descent, and became a farmer in New York. She still survives and makes her home in Puente. She has four children, namely: John, of Los Angeles; Jennie D., wife of Thomas R. Greene, deputy postmaster of Puente ; William M., the Southern Pacific agent at Lemon, and George Ello.
When eleven years old the family removed to Orange county, Cal., where two brothers of the mother resided, Robert and Steven McPherson, and in that place Mr. Cross attended the public schools and later completed his education in Los Angeles. At fifteen years he took up the study of telegraphy and after completing it accepted a position as operator for the Southern Pacific Railroad, and in 1892 was transferred to Puente in a like capacity, remaining there for four years. For a time thereafter he was located at Tracy, Wesley and Oakville, spending two years at the three places. Later he became agent at Duarte for two years, was then located at Bassett for a like period, when, in 1902, he resigned to en- gage in the hay and grain business in Puente. He has since become interested in the Puente Warehouse Company, and is serving at the pres- ent writing as secretary and manager of the en- terprise. For storage of grain they have the Buck warehouse, a building 200x50 in dimen- sions with a capacity of forty-five thousand sacks, and located on the Southern Pacific Railroad. He has also interested himself successfully in the raising of grain and alfalfa, having sixty acres of alfalfa and about two hundred and thirty- five acres devoted to grain, besides which he also raises some stock. He owns a residence in Puente which is presided over by his wife, form- erly Miss Josephine Rowland, a native of Puente, and the daughter of Albert Rowland, a well- known pioneer of California, who died in 1891. They have two children, Cecelia and Albert.
In 1904 Mr. Cross was appointed postmaster of Puente and at that time he purchased and remodeled the building which is now utilized for the postoffice. He is a Republican politically and takes an active interest in advancing the principles he endorses. He is prominent fra- ternally, having been made a Mason in Lexing- ton Lodge No. 104, of El ]Monte, and both him- self and wife are members of the Order of East- ern Star, No. 172. also of El Monte. Mr. Cross also belongs to the Modern \\'oodmen of Amer- ica of Lemon, and the Fraternal Brotherhood
^^^....t^
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1117
of Puente. He has always taken a keen interest in all educational affairs and is now a member of tlie board of trustees of the Hudson district, and is serving at the present writing as clerk.
JOSEPH H. BURKE. Intimately asso- ciated with the pioneer days of the state of California, Joseph H. Burke survived the per- ils and privations of that historic time and lives to witness and participate in the develop- ment of resources which has made it one of the first states not only of the west, but of the entire Union. He is now a useful citizen of Rivera, Los Angeles county, in which section of the state he has spent the greater part of his time since coming west in 1853, although at different times being located at other points for brief sojourns. Mr. Burke is a native of Tennessee, his birth having occurred in Roane county, April 14, 1831 ; his father, Milton Burke, in manhood a minister of the Method- ist Episcopal Church and also a physician, was a native of Virginia, as was also his mother, in maidenhood Phoebe Hartley. His paternal grandfather, John Burke, also of Virginia, married a daughter of Nathaniel Osborn, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and in the war of 1812, taking part in the battle of New Orleans at the close of that conflict. He had thirteen wounds and received a pension for each wound. He lived to the unusual age of one hundred and thirteen years and six months, witnessing the days of colonial devel- opment, the statehood growth and progress, and the shadow that preceded the struggle that almost rent our fair land asunder.
When he was nine years old Joseph H. Burke was taken to Pulaski county. Mo., by his parents, and there they spent the ensuing four years, after the death of the mother re- turning to Tennessee, and later to Camden county. Mo., where the father passed the re- mainder of his life, dying at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. At the age of fifteen years Joseph H. Burke set out in life for him- self, becoming dependent upon his own re- sources ; he went first to Huntsville, Ala., where he worked on a cotton plantation, and later in Arkansas learned the trade of wagon- maker and blacksmith. Subsequently for a year and a half he worked at his trade in Lit- tle Rock, Ark., after which he went to Fort Smith, same state, and there purchased an in- terest in a wagon and blacksrnith shop, and with his partner conducted the same success- fully for a year and a half. Stricken with ty- phoid fever about this time, he found on re- covery that his partner had taken advantage of him and he therefore decided to withdraw
his interests from the concern. Attracted to the Pacific coast, in the fall of 1852 he went to New Orleans and there boarded a steamer for Galveston and Matagorda Bay, and from the latter point traveled by stage to San An- tonio, Te.x., where, the following year, he joined the George Wentworth party, com- posed of seventy-seven men, and one of the most completely equipped trains that crossed the plains in that year. Every man was well armed, carrying a rifle and six-shooter and a large supply of ammunition ; they had ten big wagons, two hundred and eighty mules, and sixteen hundred Texas steers, and George Wentworth brought with him a span of horses which he later sold in San Francisco for $2,000.
The compan}^ disbanded in Los Angeles, where Air. Burke found employment in David Anderson's shop, receiving $32 a day. After five months he joined a party of six to mine gold at Santa Anita, on what is now a part of "Lucky" Baldwin's ranch, but this proving a failure he entered into partnership with a Mr. Hulett, one of General Walker's comrades, of Sonora raid fame, and with him started by boat from Wilmington to San Francisco. Be- ing detained at Santa Barbara they fell in with a party of travelers, a member of whom was Professor Trask, the state geologist, and Mr. Hulett, being an educated man, joined the company as assistant geologist at a salary of $150 per month. Left without a partner Mr. Burke joined a party of three government wag- ons on their way to Fort Tejon, where he be- came their wheelwright, and later conducted a mercantile establishment in that location. Not meeting with the desired success in this line, he returned to Los Angeles and located a wheelwright business on Main street, where the German-American Savings Bank now stands, purchasing a lot with one hundred and fifty feet on Main and thirty feet on First street, for the sum of $95. Later he sold this for $500. About this time (1862) he was of- fered the site of the Nadeau hotel for $420, but did not buy. He carried on his shop success- fully for a few years, in the meantime becom- ing the owner of one hundred and thirty-five feet on the west side of Main street, in the cen- ter of the block, between Third and Fourth streets : in 1864 he traded this to ex-governor John D. Downey for two hundred and fifty acres of land at Downey. He established his home there and for the ensuing twentA'-one years engaged in the cultivation and improve- ment of his property, carrying on general farming and also planting a walnut orchard, which has brought him large financial returns with the passing years. His money accumu-
1118
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
lated rapidly and he soon loaned it out at as high a rate of interest as two per cent a month. Through his marriage with Miss JMary Hun- ter, in 1855, he had five children, and desiring to give them landed property, he decided to purchase more land, and accordingly bought the old Barton place at Rivera, consisting of one hundred and ninety acres. Five acres of this ranch was devoted to a vineyard, and the first year he owned it each acre of the vine- yard netted him $200. This induced him to set out one hundred and seventy-five acres on "his two ranches to vineyard, and the immense operations called for the building of a winery on the property. For some years he engaged extensively in the manufacture of wine, but after his vines were destroyed he planted wal- nuts and oranges. The greater part of his land he has now divided among his children, who are, named in order of birth : Frank, of Down- ey ; Henry, who died leaving two children, a daughter, now deceased, and Pascal, who lives with his mother at Garvanza ; Osburn, who lives a half mile south of Rivera ; Kizzy, wife of Arthur \\'hite, of Rivera; and Ulila, wife of John Shade, near Rivera.
ATr. Burke's wife was born in Greene coun- ty. 111., a daughter of Jesse and Keziah (Brown) Hunter, the former of whom was captain of a volunteer company in the Mex- ican war, and accompanied Generals Steven- son and Cook overland to acquire possession of California, and with the united forces of Commodore Stockton succeeded in taking Los ■\ngeles. Captain Hunter was later appointed Indian agent but resigned, and driving a herd of cattle to northern California, engaged in the stock business. His family, consisting of wife and five children, came west in 1849 and settled in Sacramento, Cal., where their home remained for three years, when, in 1852, they riemoved to Los Angeles. In this city occurred the death of Captain Himter in 1877, after hav- ing acquired possession of a large amount of land, owning a part of the Verdugo ranch, and having altogether thirty-seven hundred acres. His wife also died on the home ranch. They were the parents of the following named children : William, deceased ; Asa, Mary, Jesse, Samuel, Martha and Elizabeth.
Throughout his entire life Mr. Burke has maintained a strong interest in all public questions, and although Democratic in his po- litical allegiance he is above all else a patriot- ic and loyal citizen, and can always be counted upon to further any plan for the advancement of the general welfare. A man of unusual ability, he has steadily risen to a position of financial independence, acquiring large prop- erties and at the same time building up for
himself an honored place in the citizenship of whatever community he has made his home. Early in his youth he showed signs of mechan- ical and inventive ability, engaging at the age of seventeen years with a partner in the turn- ing and calking of flat boats, and through an invention of a new process for this work Mr. Burke was paid the large sum of $10 per day. His personal characteristics, in youth and in manhood, have been such as to win for him a wide and lasting friendship throughout not only his home section, but the entire state, and give him a place among the representative cit- izens of the pioneer days of California.
CHARLES C. BROWN. As city engineer of Redlands Charles C. Brown has acquired a popularity and prominence which place him among the representative citizens of this sec- tion of Southern California. He was bom in New Brunswick, near AVoodstock, December 16, 1859, a son of Charles Brown, a native of the same locality and a pilot on the St. John's river until his death, at the age of forty-seven years. He was the descendant of English an- cestry, and married into an old Alassachusetts family, his wife being Lizzie Hovey; she sur- vived her husband and is now living in Nor- walk. Cal., at the age of seventy-four years, re- taining her health and faculties. They had two children, Sanford, residing in Norwalk, and Charles C, of this review.
When five years old Charles C. Brown was taken by his parents to Hodgdon, Me., attended its public schools and later became a student in Holton Academy, at Holton, Afe., from which institution he was graduated in 1882. Enter- ing Colby' University he took a four years' course and graduated therefrom with the de- gree of A. B. in 1886. He then came to Cali- fornia and in Los Angeles count}' entered the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad in the sur- vey corps and on the San Jacinto line worked on the coast line to San Diego. In 1887 he was engaged in surveying in AAHiittier and vicinity, laying out the town of Studebaker and several additions to Whittier. He also worked as a general surveyor and civil engineer on irrigating canals, and spent one year at Rands- burg as assayer and surveyor. During this time he made his home at Norwalk, Los Angeles county. Returning to Whittier he installed the Whittier water works, planning and building their present water system. In 1900 he came to Redlands in the interests of the Yucaipe Land & Water Company, planning and building their system to Crafton and East Redlands, which adds to their water supply an increase of two hundred and fifty inches. In 1902 he located in
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1119
Redlands, having; purchased two years previous a ranch where he had set out an orange grove and installed an irrigation system. He is now the owner of a ranch of two hundred acres of land with seventy acres under the pipe line, and forty acres are in oranges and some in al- falfa. He was appointed city engineer of Red- lands in February, 1905.
In Los Angeles Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Miss Amelia E. Shrake, a native of Indianapolis, Ind. The}- are members of the First Baptist Church of Redlands, and politi- cally Mr. Brown is a stanch advocate of Re- publican principles. Fraternally he was made a Mason in Whitticr and is now a member of Redlands Lodge No. 300, F. & A. M., and is also identified with the Foresters. He is a member of the Board of Trade of Redlands and interested in the development and advance- ment of the cit3''s welfare.
ALMER HUNT. The tract of land which has been under the supervision of Mr. Hunt for some years and which he is operating with a gratifying degree of success comprises two hun- dred and fifteen acres lying near Downey. When he came to California at the age of about twen- ty-eight years he secured employment for some months with a hay press at Hynes and then be- came a laborer on a ranch. After a month in that capacity he was made foreman and now rents the same place, of which he has one hun- dred acres in alfalfa and makes a specialty of the milk industry. On the ranch there are sixty milch cows with twenty-two head of young cat- tle, and the milk from the dairy is handled bv the Alpine Farm & Dairy Company. An abundance of water is provided by four wells operated by two pumping plants. In addition to the dairy industry, he is also interested in the breeding of fine horses, owning some of the finest breeds to be found in the state. On Maplewood stock ranch, as his place is known, mav be seen the following: Leland Rex 34546, a handsome bay of eleven hundred and eighty ])ounds : Ventura, a dapple gray Percheron, of nineteen hundred and seventy-five pounds : Black Louie, a black Bel-jian stallion of fourteen hundred pounds ; Richwood, a black Silkwood pacer, weight twelve hundred pounds ; and Grover, the latter a large Spanish jack, weight nine hundred and seventy- five pounds.
In the southern Dart of Insrham county, Mich., Aimer Hunt was born October ig, T87S. being a son of T. H. and Marv J. (Barnum) Hunt, natives respectively of Michigan and New York, and botli now deceased. Throughout all of his active life the father followed the trade of a millwrisht. There were in the faniilv a son and
two daughters, the latter both living in Mich- igan. The former, whose name introduces this sketch, was given such advantages as the com- mon schools of Ingham county afforded and at an early age became self-supporting through his work in the lumber woods. Not only did he have charge of a lumber camp in Clare county, Mich., but in addition for three years he owned a camp of his own. On disposing of his inter- ests in Michigan he came to California in 1902 and has since been busily engaged in farm activities in Los x^ngeles county.
The marriage of Mr. Hunt took place in Mich- igan February 25, 1900, and united him with Emma A. Lent, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of C. A. and Sarah A. (Gore) Lent, natives of Pennsylvania and for many years farmers of Michigan. Eventually Mr. Lent brought his family to California and settled in the southern part of the state. At this writing he is employed as foreman of a borax company in Death valley. In his family there were five children, Mrs. Hunt being the oldest. To the information gleaned from text-books during her school years she has added the culture derived from careful reading of the best literature, and has further broadened and deepened her life by the element of religion, being a faithful member of the ]\Iethodist Episcopal Church. To her only child, Albert J., both she and Mr. Hunt are giv- ing all the opportunities within their power in order that he may be trained for a useful man- hood. While Mr. Hunt has never been active in politics he is none the less pronounced in his views and favors the Republican platform in national questions. During Ijis residence in Michigan he was an active member of the Tent of the Maccabees and also holds connection with the Modern Woodmen of America.
AUGUST ALBERT GOETTING. A lib- eral, enterprising citizen, August Albert Goett- ing is prominent among the upbuilders of River- side and San Bernardino counties, having been engaged as an agriculturist in this section since 1 89 1. He was born in Gallipolis. Gallia county, Ohio. March 2, 1862, the third in a family of six sons and three daughters born to his parents, August and Frederika (Hess) Goetting. They were both natives of Germany, where they were married, immigrating to America when Mr. Goetting was but twenty-four years old. Locat- ing in Ohio, he cleared and improved a hundred and sixty-acre farm, on which he and his wife are now living, he being seventy-five and she seventy-three years old. In religion they are members of the Lutheran Church.
August .\lbert Goetting was the eldest son in the family and was reared on the paternal
1120
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
farm in Ohio, receiving his education in the pubUc schools. He remained at home until at- taining his majority, when he went to Frank- lin county and secured employment on a farm, as that was the work in which he had early been trained. In 1889 he came to California and in Los Angeles entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, as a carpenter in the bridge and building department. He was located between Fresno and Reno, Nev., for two years, when he returned to Southern California and in San Timoteo cafion, near El Casco, established an apiary. This enterprise he continued suc- cessfully until 1895, when he rented the old C. W. Gower place and continued the management of an apiary and general farming. In October. 1906, he purchased his present farm, which con- sists of one hundred and sixty acres, well im- proved and highly cultivated, general farming and an apiary of two hundred stands occupying his attention. He has been very successful in his work and is esteemed among the farmers of this section both for his ability as an agricult- urist, as well as personal qualities of character, his liberality and enterprise placing him high in the citizenship of El Casco.
August 14, 1898, Mr. Goetting was married to Miss Annie J. Singleton, a native of this section and a daughter of William Singleton. In his fraternal relations Mr. Goetting is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge of Redlands and polit- ically he is a stanch adherent of Democratic principles. He is a member of the California Bee Keepers' Association, in which he takes an active and helpful interest.
LOUIS SENTOUS. One of the upbuilders of Los Angeles and a man of energy and enter- prise, is Louis Sentous, who is also a member of a family whose name is prominent in various avenues of business activity. As the name would indicate he is of French parentage, his birth having occurred in Haute-Garonne, France, July 28, 1839. His parents were Francisco and Marie (Rouillon) Sentous, whose entire lives were spent in their native country, where the father engaged as a prosperous farmer and stockman. Louis Sentous was reared on the paternal farm to the age of si.xteen years, when he decided to follow the example of his elder brother, John, who in i8.t;2 had emigrated to America and located in California. Accordingly December 29, 1855, he took passage at Havre on the sailer Gutre, which made the passage to San Francisco via Cape Horn. They encountered the most severe storms at the Horn and made only sixty miles in sixty-two days, everyone even to the ship's officers having given up hope of the boat weathering the storm. The added length
of the voyage caused them to run out of provi- sions and they were compelled to sacrifice all the livestock on board, even to the dogs, which were killed and eaten. However, they passed safely through these trying times and on July 16, 1856, they reached San Francisco, after a voyage of seven months and nineteen dayi. . Mr. Sentous at once made his way to the mines of Calaveras county, where he engaged in placer mining and after making several hundred dollars he came to Los Angeles, which city he reached October 29, 1859. The rains had come early that fall and he found the hills and valleys green and the verdure of the mountains pre- sented a beautiful sight, on the trip from San Pedro to Los Angeles, noting grass eighteen inches high. Some of the party in their rapture declared they would never leave such a beautiful country. The first year in Southern California was spent by Mr. Sentous in working for B. Revierra, who had a dain' in the Pueblo de los Angeles, which then numbered about twenty-five hundred people, the most southerly business place of any kind being an old brewery and a small store at Third and Main streets. About a year after coming to this section Mr. Sentous was thrown from a horse and seriously sprained his leg. He was sent to the French hospital at San Francisco, where the surgeon said he would have to amputate the limb. Mr. Sentous re- fused to undergo the operation and declared he would take his chances of recovering as he was. Two months later he was able to leave the hos- pital and from San Francisco he went to the mines in Calaveras county, from there to Co- lumbia and then to Sonoratown, Tuolumne county, where he purchased a farm, cleared and improved it and engaged in the dairy business. Disposing of this interest in 1866 he returned to Los Angeles and in the vicinity of the citj' engaged in the stock business, ranging: his cattle in the San Fernando valley. In 1868 he drove his herd of cattle to San Francisco and sold them and the following year bought a band of cattle, six hundred and eighty in number, from a man who had just brought them from Texas, and after disposing of them in the San Fran- cisco markets he concluded to make a visit to his home in France. He accordingly made the journey over the railroad which had just been completed, thence taking passage on a steamer from New York City and arriving safely in his old home in France. He remained there for a little more than a year, and while there married Miss Bernadotte Laserra, and with his bride re- turned to Los Angeles in 1870.
He again began the cattle business, purchasing a ranch on the Tehachapi, and three rears later, in addition to this enterprise, he became in- terested with two of his brothers, P. Marie and
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1123
Alphonse Sentous, in the establishment and maintenance of a meat market in Los Angeles, but the two brothers sold to their other brothers, Vincente and Exupere. They were first located on Aliso and Los Angeles streets, and remained so engaged until 1896, when they sold out and dissolved partnership, and Louis Sentous having previously established a wholesale butcher busi- ness and meat market at No. 6 North Main street, purchased the site and later put up the Sentous block, which extends from Main to San Fernando streets. Later he incorporated the Sentous Pack- ing Company with Ed C. Conet, his son-in-law, of which enterprise Mr. Sentous was president and manager for some years. Their business was conducted in the Sentous block, where they had three stores 55x110 feet in dimensions. Dur- ing this time he was also largely interested in the raising of stock on his Puente ranch, which consists of eighteen hundred acres of land well watered and susceptible of irrigation because of this. The purchase before the property was di- vided among the brothers amounted to fifty- three hundred and twenty acres. In 1905 he sold his interest in the Sentous Packing Company and since that period has given his time entirely to the raising of cattle and horses on his well- improved ranch. Besides the interests named Mr. Sentous was identified with other enter- prises in the city of Los Angeles, having erected a business house at the corner of Buena Vista and Bellevue, which he later sold to the Pacific Electric Railway, and built a business house on Castelar street, which he owns in connection with the Sentous block.
Mr. Sentous built a fine residence at No. 1802 Toberman street, which is now the home of the family. To himself and wife have been born three children, namely: Jules, who is a prom- inent Mason ; Mary Louise, Mrs. Conet, of Ven- tura; and Narcisse, j\Irs. Garner of Los Angeles. Mr. Sentous is a stanch Republican in his polit- ical affiliations, and although never desirous of official recognition personally gives his best ef- forts to advance the principles he endorses. He is an honored member of the French Benevolent Society of Los Angeles. Liberal and progressive in spirit he has won for himself a place of prom- inence among the representative citizens who hold him in high esteem for his splendid qual- ities of mind and heart.
LOUIS BRENNEIS. Numbered among the pioneer business men of Oxnard is Louis Brenneis, proprietor of the blacksmith, car- riage and implement works that since its es- tablishment in 1809 has been operated under his name. The building which he occupies and which was erected under his supervision
stands on the plaza, covering a floor space of 100x140 feet, and is equipped with all the modern and scientific improvements, including a gas engine of eight-horse power, an electric dynamo of ten-horse power, three fires with power blowers and a Killifer power hammer. In addition to blacksmithing and machine work for several years he engaged in the hard- ware and agricultural implement business, but eventually sold the stock, and since then has given his attention to practical and scientific horse-shoeing, and the manufacture and re- pair of wagons, carriages and farming imple- ments.
Bv birth and ancestry Mr. Brenneis is of the German race, and his parents, Louis and Eliz- abeth (Bilz) Brenneis, were natives and life- long residents of Heidelberg, Baden. For manv years the father filled the office of aud- itor,'but eventually he retired from office and a few years later he passed away, since which time the mother has continued at the old home- stead. All of their eight children are stillliv- ing, Louis being the second in order of birth, and he was born at Heidelberg August 31, t868. As a bov he attended a gjannasium in Heidelberg, but left school at the age of four- teen. In 1S83 he came to the United States and secured employment in New York City. After eighteen months in the metropolis he proceeded west as far as Kansas, where he re- mained during one winter at Manhattan. In the spring of "1887 he went to Pleasanton, Ala- meda county, Cal, where he became an ap- prentice to the trade of blacksmith and horse- shoer under his uncle, J. A. Bilz. On the com- pletion of his apprenticeship three years later he began to work in the employ of J. H. Dutcher at Livermore, Alameda county, where he remained for five years.
After having followed his trade at Fresno for two vears Mr. Brenneis removed to New- hall, and in February, 1898, came to Oxnard as an employe on the construction of the Ameri- can Beet 'Sugar factory. A year later he em- barked in the business' which he now conducts and which through his energ>' and industry has taken rank among the leading enterprises of its kind in the county. After coming to Ox- nard he was united in marriage with Miss So- phia Reiman, who was born in Germany and at the age of five years came to California with her father, Morit'z, and other members of the family. Born of their union are six children, Annie, INIary, Joseph, Charles, Sophia and Moritz. The religious connections of the fam- ilv are with the Santa Clara Catholic Church, while fraternally Air. Brenneis affiliates with the Knights of Columbus. Ever since becom-
1124
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ing a citizen of the United States he has been stanch in his allegiance to the Democratic par- ty, has kept posted concerning political aftairs and at one time served as a member of the ■county central committee of his party. Through the building up of a successful busi- ness he has promoted his own prosperity and at the same time has been a factor in the ma- terial dev-elopment and commercial growth of Oxnard, where he holds a place among the en- terprising and progressive citizens.
LOUIS MAX SCHALLERT. The ances- tral lineage of the Schallert family is lost amid the traditions of Austria, where many gener- ations lived and labored and died. The found- er of the race in America was Lawrence M. Schallert, a man of broad education and many talents, who left his native Tyrol for the greater opportunities of the new world, and resided first in New York City and later in St. Louis, being engaged in editorial work with prominent newspapers. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Creocentia Neyer, was like himself a descendant of an old Tyro- lese family, and Avas born in the little village of Feldkirch nestling in a valley beneath the shadow of rugged mountains, near the bor- ders of Germany and Switzerland. Since the death of her husband, which occurred in East St. Louis, she has made her home in the Mis- souri city across the Mississippi.
The eldest in a family of whom two now survive, Louis Max Schallert was born Feb- ruary 25, 1861, during the residence of his par- ents in New York City. As a boy he attend- ed private schools in St. Louis. When only twelve 3^ears of age he began to learn the lumber business and gradually acquired a thor- ough practical knowledge of the occupation. In early life he was successively employed as foreman in the yellow pine departments of the John J. Ganahl Co.. and Knapp, Stout & Co., also as superintendent of the St. Charles I'ATo.) Car Company. Coming to California in 1888 he sectired a position as clerk with the Pacific Pine Lumber Company at San Fran- cisco, and in 1890 removed to Los Angeles, where he entered the emplo}^ of the Citizens' Ice Company and was soon promoted to be their assistant superintendent. When the ownership of the business passed into diflferent hands, he entered into other activities. For eighteen months he conducted a grocery on the corner of Glov/ner and Twenty-third streets, and afterward for eight years carried on a coffee and tea store at No. 207 East Pico street.
About this time IMr. Schallert bought prop-
erty in Hollywood where he now resides. His first purchase in this beautiful suburb consist- ed of real estate on Prospect and Cohing aven- ues, where he built three stores in a block and two stores comprising the Schallert block, 55x100 feet in dimensions. Since then he has erected his family residence in Hollywood and improved other vacant property in the same place. Shortly after the organization of the Lumber Surveyors' Association of Southern California in 1902 he became connected with the new enterprise, in which now he is an ac- tive member, and for the same period he has been engaged as a lumber surveyor in Re- dondc. In addition to property investments lie has bought stock in the Hollywood Nation- al Bank and also in the Citizens' Savings Bank of Hollywood. The Hollywood Board of Trade also numbers him among its mem- bers and promoters.
The marriage of Mr. Schallert took place in St. Louis and united him with Miss Louisa Phiel, a native of Missouri. They are the par- ents of two children, Eugene Joseph and Isa- bella Marie. The family are identified with the Church of the Blessed Sacrament at Hol- lywood and contribute to its maintenance, as well as to other worthy movements. In poli- tics Mr. Schallert votes for the men best quali- fied for public ofifice and exercises considera- ble freedom in his ballot, supporting men rath- er than party, and measures rather than plat- forms. Various fraternities include him among their members, among these being the Knights of Columbus at Los Angeles, the German St. Joseph Society of Los Angeles, the Fraternal Brotherhood and the Knights of the Macca- bees.
HARRY W. GRISWOLD. Many of the older residents and business men of Fernando remember with pleasure the late Harry W. Gris- wold, who for a number of years was intimately identified with the highest and best interests of this section of Los Angeles county, and a brief sketch of his life will be gladly welcomed by the readers of this volume. A man of sterling char- acter and worth, energetic and progressive, he was active in promoting the industrial and mate- rial prosperity of the community in which he resided, and in business, political and social cir- cles was prominent and popular.
The earlier years of Mr. Griswold were spent in Niagara county, N. Y., where as a young man he was engaged in the railroad business. Com- ing to the Pacific coast in 1877, he entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad Com- pany, first in Los Angeles, and then in Fernando, being station agent here for a short time. Decid-
HISTORICAL AND BIOGR.\PHICAL RECORD.
1125
ing to change his occupation, he entered upon a mercantile career, at the death of his brother-in- law, the late Hon. A. B. Moffitt, buying his in- terest in the store with which he was connected. As a general merchant Mr. Grisvvold was very successful, his fair and upright dealings with all, and his systematic and honorable business meth- ods, winning him a large and lucrative trade. He became widely and favorably known, and carried on a substantial business until his death, which occurred December i8, 1887, when he was but thirty-three years of age. He was very active, and in addition to attending to his store was at the time of his death serving as postmaster, agent for the WeUs-Fargo Express Company, and as justice of the peace, keeping at all times busily employed, and besides these public positions was financial trustee of the Alaclay Theological Col- lege.
In 1879 ^'Ii'- Griswold married Mary Maclay, daughter of the late Hon. Charles Maclay, and their only child died in infancy. Mrs. Griswold still resides in Fernando, where she has a beau- tiful home, over which she presides with a gracious hospitality. Public-spirited and gener- ous, Mrs. Griswold is a woman of strong per- sonality, highly esteemed throughout the com- munity, and is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, in which she is an active worker.
ELKANAH W. RICHARDSON. Prominent among the solid business men of Los Angeles county is Elkanah W. Richardson, a wide-awake representative of the agricultural and horticul- tural interests of Tropico. He is widely and favorably known as a cultured and genial man, an able, skillful and progressive farmer, and is highly esteemed throughout the community in which he resides. A son of William C. B. Richardson, of whom a sketch may be found on another page of this volume, he was born, No- vember 6, 1849, in Cleveland, Ohio, where he acquired his early education, attending the schools and a business college.
After leaving school, Elkanah W. Richardson went to Chicago, where for several years he was. book-keeper for his brother, O. S. Richardson, an extensive coal dealer, who is still in business in that city. Coming by way of Cape Horn as a sailor to California in 1871, he arrived in San Francisco on September 11, and immediately came to Los Angeles to look after property that his father had previously purchased. A month later he returned to Illinois, and at Salt Lake City met refugees fleeing from the big fire that nearly devastated Qiicago, rendering so many homeless, and destroyed millions of dollars worth of property. Two months later, he went back to Cleveland, and for a year assisted his father
in surveying in that city and its suburbs. Im June, 1873, he again visited Los Angeles, and on December i of that year he assumed charge of his father's ranch, becoming superin- tendent, a position that he filled most creditably for many years. In 1881 he embarked in the dairy business, and built up an extensive and lucrative trade, in which he was successfully employed for a score of years. Since 1901 Mr. Richardson has devoted his time and energies to carrying on his father's varied interests prin- cipally, although he occasionally does some sur- veying in the town and county.
In Los x\ngeles, Cal., in 1887, Mr. Richardson married Ella Weekley, and into their household five children have been born, namely : Eulalia,. a graduate of the Glendale high school and now a student in Stanford ; William: McKinley ; Omar Burt; Paul Eddy; and John Everett. Fraternallv Mr. Richardson is a prominent mem- ber of Glendale Lodge No. 388, I. O. O. F., in which he has passed all the chairs and is a mem- ber of the Encampment and the Rebekahs. He is a man of unquestioned business ability and judgment, as is shown by his management of his father's estate, the Santa Eulalia rancho, which at that time of its purchase, in 1868, contained six hundred and seventy-one acres of land. William C. B. Richardson paid $2500 for the tract, which lies between the Dreyfus and Glassell tracts and the Los Angeles river. For the first few years after taking charge of the ranch or until 1880, Mr. Richardson raised sheep on it and then converted it into a diary farm, subsequently devoting it to deciduous fruits and strawberries, each change being for his pecuniary advantage. When the Pacific Electric Railroad was put through he subdivided forty acres into lots 50x100 feet, and worth from $400 to $700 each. A part of these lots have already been sold. With the one hundred acres more re- cently purchased it makes a valuable estate of seven hundred acres. Ever since its organization Mr. Richardson has been a trustee of the Glen- dale union high school. He is a member of the Glendale Valley Club and the Pioneers Society of Los .A.ngeles county.
GEORGE JACOB EUEHN. Ranching has occupied the attention of ]\Ir. Buehn since he came to the vicinity of Norwalk, Los Angeles county, about 1878, and with this enterprise he has more recently combined that of wine man- ufacture, having a vineyard of forty acres and turning out twenty-five thousand gallons of wine each year from his own grapes. He was born in Baden, Germany, July 21, 1848, a son of Christian and Eva (Sebastian) Buehn, both natives of the Fatherland, where thev are now
1126
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
living at an advanced age. Of their family two sons and two daughters are in California.
G. T. Buehn was educated in the public schools of his native land and later learned wine making and became thoroughly familiar with market gardening. He came to America at the age of nineteen years and located in Cal- ifornia, from San Francisco going to Oregon, where he engaged in the dairy business for eleven years. For three years of this time he lived in East Portland and eight years in Mor- row county, owning in the latter section a fine ranch of eighty acres and engaging in the stock business. He caire to Los .A.ngeles county to visit two sisters and they prevailed upon him to locate here permanently. Accordingly, in 1879, he purchased his present property, which consists of sixty acres, of which forty acres are in wine grapes ; the entire property was wild and uncultivated land at that time and to Mr. Buehn is due the credit for having developed one of the fine ranches of this section. He set out trees, built house, barn, winery and all necessarj' outbuildings, fences, etc., and has added not only to the value of his own proper- tv, but enhanced that of the ranches about him. " May 8, 1880, Mr. Buehn married ]\Iiss Mary Feldman, a native of Germany, and they are the parents of five children, namely: Minnie, Louisa, George, Louis and Elsie. Both himself and wife are members of the German Lutheran Church. Politically he is a Republican, and in fraternal matters belongs to the Fraternal Aid, was an Odd Fellow in Oregon, and also carries old-line insurance. He is progressive and en- terprising and esteemed in the citizenship of Los Angeles county.
PETER L. LOPEZ. Among the best known and most active residents of Fernando is Peter L. Lopez, an energetic, capable business man. possessing keen judgment and marked executive ability. He was born June 28, 1867, in Los Angeles valley, which was likewise the birthplace of his. father, Valentine Lopez, whose birth oc- curred sixty years ago, and of his grandfather, whose name was Peter Lopez. The Lopez fam- ily was one of the first to settle in this section of Los Angeles county, taking up grants of land from the Spanish government, and many of the descendants of the original emigrants are still living here, honored and respected citizens.
After leaving the public schools of Fernando, Peter L. Lopez was for a year a student in the college then located here. The ensuing five years he assisted his father on the home ranch, and then for two years had the contract for carrying the mails from Fernando to Simi, Ventura cotmtv. ^^'llen but twenty-three years of age he
was elected constable of Fernando township, an office in which he served most acceptably for three terms of four years each. Resigning then, he spent a year of leisure, enjoying a well-earned vacation free from business cares. In 1905 he resumed his public duties, accepting the appoint- ment of road superintendent or overseer, an of- fice which keeps him busily employed, it being the hardest road district in the entire county. Under his personal supervision he has one hun- dred and fifty-seven miles of road and two moun- tain ranges to cross, and the question of keeping these public thoroughfares in a satisfactory con- dition for travel is often a difficult one to solve. He is a man of good business capacity, and by dint of industry and wise judgment has acquired considerable property, owning several village lots in Fernando and one of the best residences in the community, having erected it in 1900.
April 8, 1894, Mr. Lopez married Lottie Will- iams, and they have one child, a daughter named Bertha. Fraternally Mr. Lopez is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, belonging to the Los Angeles Lodge.
LEGENE SAGE BARNES. One of the suc- cessful real-estate dealers of Long Beach is L. S. Barnes, who, although a resident of this city only since IQ04, has built up for himself a secure posi- tion among her business men. Locating in the city in the year mentioned above, he engaged in handling real estate, being at that time associated with W. W. Bryan, later purchasing the latter's interest and continuing alone until January, 1906, when, with two others, he established the busi- ness now known as L. S. Barnes & Co., located at No. 121 West Ocean avenue, where they con- duct a real-estate enterprise of considerable mag- nitude.
Legene Sage Barnes was born in Wilber, Sa- line county, Neb., August 7, 1875, the second in a family of seven children, four of whom are liv- ing, he being the only one in California. His father, Thomas H. Barnes, was a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in the vicinity of Co- lumbus, where the family fortunes had been lo- cated by Samuel, the paternal grandfather. The latter ran a steamer on the Ohio river for many years, eventually removing to Nebraska and be- coming a pioneer of Wilber, where his death oc- cured at an advanced age. He was a man of strong character and patriotism, and at the call of the Union in '61 he enlisted in an Ohio regiment and gave faithful service to the cause. Thomas H. Barnes was also a pioneer of Nebraska, through his connection with the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company ( for which he secured right of way through the state from Omaha to Denver) being a potent factor in the
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1129
upbuilding of this section of the countr_\-. He located the greater number of towns in western Nebraska and eastern Colorado, and at the pres- ent writing owns valuable properties in the first- named state. At one time he located in Oregon and in Salem built the electric railroad, which covers a distance of twenty-five miles in the city and its vicinity, and also platted Englewood, an addition to Salem, and was otherwise instru- mental in the advancement of that city. Later he returned to Nebraska, and has since made his home in Alliance, where he engages in the han- dling of landed properties. Inheriting the sterling characteristics of his forefathers, he takes a keen interest in all matters pertaining to the general welfare and gives his efforts freely to the pro- motion of public enterprises. A Democrat in pol- itics, he is prominent in the councils of his party, and fraternally he is a Mason. His wife, for- merly Rose Harris, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, is also living.
The early education of L. S. Barnes was re- ceived through an attendance of the public and high schools of Salem, Ore., his graduation tak- ing place in 1892. Returning to Nebraska with his parents he attended a commercial college at Hastings. Previous to this he had studied teleg- raphy, and about this time accepted the position of operator for the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company at Hastings ; later he acted in the same capacity at David City, Neb. In 1895 he went to Salt Lake City, Utah, for the Rio Grande & Western Railroad and as conductor ran between Salt Lake City and Park City that state. Later he was conductor on a passenger train out of Milford, Utah, which position he resigned to engage in mining in Utah and later in ^Montana. He was successful in this enter- prise, discovering and opening several mines that brought large financial returns, among which was the Coobartal which was the last disposed of. Mr. Barnes' first trip to California was made in December, 1895, his decision to locate here per- manently being made in 1904, when he came to Long Beach, as previously stated. He has met with unusual success in his business enterprises, acquiring financial returns, and has gained a high position among the business men of the city. In addition to the business enterprise already men- tioned he is interested in the Long Beach Realty Investment Company, and the Moore Foster In- vestment Company, serving as treasurer in the last-named organization.
In Raton. N. Mex., Mr. Barnes was united in marriage with Miss Grace Dinsmore, a native of Kansas, who had resided for some years in Salem, Ore. Thev are the parents of two children, Willa and Legene S., Jr. Mr. Barnes takes a lively interest in social and fraternal affairs of Long Beach, being a member of the Cosmopoli-
tan Club and Chamber of Commerce, and is iden- tified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and Knights of Pythias. He is a man of broad information, in touch with current events, and a citizen upon whom the public honor may safely rest.
CHARLES H. HOGE. Through his asso- ciation with the real-estate interests of Long Beach, Charles H. Hoge is making himself a factor in the material upbuilding and growth of the city. He is a native of Hunt county, Tex., and was born October 31, 1866, a son of John C. Hoge. The latter was a native of Missouri, whence he removed to Texas at the close of the Civil war, and became a farmer in Hunt county and later in the vicinity of Blanco, where he is now residing. His wife, whom he married in Texas, was formerly Mattie King, a native of Illinois, and born of this union were six sons and four daughters, of whom Charles H. Hoge is the eldest. He was reared to young manhood in Texas, where he attended the common schools in pursuit of an education and engaged with his father in farming. In Alarch, 1891, he left his native state and located in the northern part of Ari- zona, remaining in Ihat location until fall, when he came to California. In Redlands, his first location, he engaged in the real estate business with a partner, the firm being known as Dike & Hoge. Together they subdivided the Oliver Grove addition of twenty-nine acres, and also subdivided other tracts during the eight years in which they continued business. Disposing of his interests in that section Mr. Hoge located in the city of Los Angeles and as a member of the real-estate firm of Hoge & Gaylord laid out the Echo Park tract. In the spring of 1904 he came to Long Beach and here became a partner in the firm of Todd, Windham & Hoge, who laid out the Pacific Home tract of twenty-eight acres, and also handled the one hundred acres com- prised in the Long Beach Park tract, along the Ocean front, which tract was opened to the public in 1905. In the fall of 1905 the firm of Todd, Windham & Hoge raised the money for the first payment on the eight hundred acres now being improved as Long Beach Harbor, and assisted in the organization of the Dock & Terminal Company, and the firms of Todd & Windham and C. H. Hoge & Co. have the exclusive holding of all of that property. This has been the means of more than doubling the values of real-estate in Long Beach. With others Mr. Hoge organized the Dominguez Investment Company to sub- divide the Dominguez Harbor Tract of two
1130
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
hundred acres on the north side of Anaheim Road, running from Long Beach to Wihning- ton. ]\[r. Hoge is now doing a general real- estate business independently, under the firm name of C. H. Hoge & Co.
j\Tr. Hoge is identified fraternally with the Order of Pendo, and in his political convic- tions is a Democrat on national issues, while locally he reserves the right to cast his ballot for the man whom he considers best qualified for public office.
CAPT. ELAIER O. LUTZ. The excellent harbor at San Diego and the large number of tourists visiting the city every year render yacht- ing one of the most satisfactory sources of recrea- tion and pleasure. Recognizing this fact, Cap- tain Lutz has devoted his attention to the devel- opment of a business catering to the wants of strangers as well as town people. As the pro- prietor of the Star boathouse, at the foot of H street, he has built up a business unique in character and interesting in details. His pleasure wharf is commodious and at the end he has his row boats, sail boats and launches, including the Dolphin, fortj'-seven and one-half feet; the Urania, forty-five feet, and the Dolly, twenty- six feet. A special feature of the business is his Tuesday and Thursday excursions of the Dol- phin, which carries the guests past Roseville, La Playa, the quarantine station, the fortifica- tions at Fort Rosecrans and the government jetty.
The Lutz family comes from Pennsylvania, whence the captain's grandfather removed to Cir- cleville, Ohio, and settled among the pioneer farmers on the Scioto river. After the family removed to the fann near Circleville, Louis Lutz was born there and after he had attained man's estate he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits in the same locality. In 1871 he removed to Kansas and settled in Emporia, where he open- ed a hardware and agricultural implement store, conducting the business for a period of twelve years. At the expiration of that time he closed out his interests in Emporia and removed to New Mexico, where he acquired large tracts of land in San Miguel county near Las Vegas, and there he remained until his death at sixty-eight years of age. His wife, who was born at Circleville, Ohio, and died in New Mexico, bore the maiden name of Susan Hittler, her father, Jacob, having been a farmer in the vicinity of Circleville.
Six children formed the family of Louis Lutz and three are still living. Elmer O., who was second in order of birth, was born on the home farm near Circleville, Ohio, February 19, 1866, and was a boy of five years when the family set- tled in Emporia, Kans., where he secured a
public school education. During 1882 he accom- panied the family to New Mexico, where his father had purchased the Osage Sutton grant of sixty-nine thousand six hundred and forty acres of land situated one hundred and ten miles south- east of Las Vegas. The ranch had forty-two miles of fence, all of which was of four wires. Assisted by other members of the family, the father conducted a cattle business which was in- corporated under the title of the L. L. Cattle Com- pany, with the father as president and Elmer O., manager and treasurer. A specialty was made of full-blooded Hereford cattle, of which they had a large number of fine specimens. At times they had as man)' as four thousand head of cat- tle on the ranch, all of which bore their brand of L LL.
Owing to considerable trouble with rheuma- tism, which only a change o"f occupation and cli- mate could benefit, Elmer O. Lutz left New Mex- ico in 1897 and removed to San Diego, where he has since made his home. However, it was not until three years later that he disposed of his interests in New JNIexico, all of the land and cattle being then sold. In 1898 he established a boathouse at the foot of D street and opened the business which he has since conducted with energv', judgment and originality. However, since beginning in the business he has disposed of his first property to the Corinthian Yacht Club and has purchased the property at the foot of H street. He is identified with the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, also the San Diego Yacht Club. His home is a comfortable residence in the cit)', presided over by his wife, formerly Miss E. May Addington, a native of Iowa. In politics he gives his influence and ballot toward the principles of the Republican party, of which he is a pronounced supporter.
C. O. ANDERSON is making extensive im- provements at Glenoak ranch, erecting thereon a beautiful mission style house which is being fitted with all modern •improvements, including an acetylene gas plant, and a telephone, his am- bition being to make it one of the most com- fortable and attractive homes in that section of the state. The land is devoted to tlie growing of fruit and grain, the conduct of these opera- tions being in the hands of a manager. The ranch has an independent irrigation plant with gasoline engine to furnish power for the centrif- ugal pump, which has a capacity of seventy- five gallons per minute.
Mr. Anderson was born September 26, 1857, in Sweden, in which country he received his early education. When fourteen years of age he came to the United States, going directly to Qiicasro. Later he removed to Rock Island
HISTORICAL- AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1131
and engaged in the manufacture of shoes, re- maining there some time. After disposing of his interests there he entered mercantile enter- prises in Des Moines and Davenport, Iowa. In 1887 he came to San Diego, Gal., and secured employment in a retail shoe house, remaining eight and one-half 3-ears with F. T. Wright & Co., after which he became manager of the shoe department in Marston's department store. Severing his connection with this firm after three and a half years of valuable service to his em- ployer he next accepted a position as traveling- salesman for the firm of Utz & Dunn of Roches- ter, N. Y., the field given him being Galifornm, Nevada and the Hawaiian Islands, a position which he has filled for the past seven years.
Mrs. Anderson is a native of Illinois and was for many years a school teacher in the public schools of California. Fraternally Mr. Ander- son is a member of the Woodman lodge, the Knights of Pythias, and holds membership in the Traveling Men's Protective Association of L^tica, N. Y. PoHtically he is an advocate of the principles embraced in the platform of the Republican party. Fie is one of the best posted shoe men in tlie country and is personally popular with all who enjoy his acquaintance. He is well-read, well-traveled, and takes an interest in all matters of importance to the public welfare.
CAPT. SAMUEL WYLIE McNAB. A man of keen insight and a good judge of human nature, Capt. Samuel Wylie ]\'IcNab is an ef- ficient executive officer under appointment by the sheriff of San Bernardino county. He is of Scotch descent, and the sturdy elements of char- acter found in tlie men of that nationality are a part of his inheritance from his early ancestors. His grandfather, Henrj' McNab, was a weaver in Philadelphia, later removed to Pittsburg, and finally became a pioneer of the state of Iowa. His son, James, was born in Philadelphia, be- came a farmer near Pittsburg, and moved in suc- cession to Galena, 111., where he was engaged in lead mining, Dubuque, Iowa, and later settled in Jackson county of that state, near Maquoketa, where he operated a farm until his retirement from active business and now resides with his son in San Bernardino, having reached the ad- vanced age of eighty years. He is a Republi- can in political faith, which party also receives the support of Captain McNab. The mother, who was Mary Hogg before her marriage, was a native of Pennsylvania and died when her son was but four years of age.
The birth of Mr. McNab occurred December 18, 1868, at Canes Ford, near Maquoketa, Iowa, and the first twelve years of his life were spent on the farm. He then went to Maquoketa and
attended the' public school for a short time. A year later he began to learn the printer's trade in Sharon, Pa., and after working in the Eagle office for some time returned to his native state and again attended school at Maquoketa. His education being completed he journeyed through various parts of the United States, in 1887 coming to San Francisco, where he was engaged on the city papers there for a season, then came to Los Angeles and worked on the old Tribune-Herald. In 1890 he returned to Iowa and farmed for three years, after which he again took up his trade in the Maquoketa Record office. But one who has once lived in California is never quite satisfied away from her alluring attractions and 1895 found Captain McNab again a resident of San Bernardino county. In a short time he was engaged as foreman of the Riverside Enter- prise, and a year later accepted a similar position on the San Bernardino Sun. Retaining this posi- tion until Januar}', 1903, he resigned at that time to accept the appointment as a deputy under the county sheriff and has since given his entire time to his official duties. In fraternal circles Captain McNab affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America, is a member of Kaaba Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Davenport, Iowa; was made a Mason at Maquoketa in Helion Lodge No. 36, A. F. & A. M., and now belongs to San Ber- nardino Lodge No. 348 ; was a member of Bath- kol Chapter No. 94. R. A. M., at Maquoketa, of which he is past high priest, and now belongs to Keystone Chapter "No. 56, at San Bernardino ; was formerly a member of Tancred Commandery No. 40 at Maquoketa, of which he is past re- corder, and is now a member of San Bernardino Commanderv No. 23 and San Bernardino Lodge No. 856, B. P. O. E. He has been a member of Company K, Seventh Regiment of National Guard of California since 1898, in 1902 was elected lieutenant of the company and in 1905 was elected and commissioned captain. He is also a member of the Board of Trade at San Bernardino and takes an active interest in all matters tending toward the development of that section of the state.
WILLIAM PAPSON. As a pioneer Will- iam Papson is remembered among the early set- tlers of California and his name held in the high- est esteem by all who ever knew him. He was born in Hillsdale, N. Y., in 1831, his father hav- ing emigrated from his home in England and located in New York. Reared to young man- hood in his native state and educated in the public schools, he was well equipped for the bat- tle of life, and in 1852, at the age of twenty-one years, he outfitted with ox-teams and crossed the plains to California. He came safely through
1132
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the hardships and dangers of the trip, and upon his arrival in the state he followed the example of the great majority of the settlers of the west and engaged in mining. He was first located in Plumas county, where he continued for a time, but having been trained to an agricultural life he soon became interested in this pursuit and decided to purchase a farm. He settled near San Jose and engaged in general farming and fruit raising and there, [March 8, 1865, he mar- ried Miss jMatilda Freer. She was born in Atchison county, Mo., a daughter of William H. Freer, who brought his family across the plains in 1849. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Papson continued to farm in that section for the period of three years, when they removed to San Felipe and followed ranching for seven years. Returning to Santa Clara county they again engaged in farming in the vicinity of Ber- ryessa and after three years removed to Los Gatos and made that place their home for seven years. They were principally occupied during this time in horticulture, in whicli they were very successful. Removing to Lake county in 1888 Mr. Papson purchased a ranch near Upper Lake and engaged extensively in the raising of stock, grain and hay. He also owned one hun- dred and thirty-four acres on the banks of Lula lake, where his death occurred July 12, 1897. He was a citizen of worth and works, interested in the movements of the day, and always ready to lend his aid in matters of public import. He was a Republican in politics but never cared for official recognition. Fraternally he was made a Mason in San Jose Lodge No. 10, F. & A. M.
Mr. and Mrs. Papson were the parents of one son, George W., who has charge of the home place in Lake county. After the death of her husband Mrs. Papson remained in Lake county until January, 1900, when she located on the old home place near Savannah, and is now re- siding with her mother on the old Freer home- stead" in the vicinity of El Monte, Los Angeles county.
VICENTE LUGO. A man of modest, un- assuming character, honest and upright in his dealings, Vicente Lugo, living near Santa Monica, is a fine representative of the early Spanish families who were so prominent in the settlement of Southern California. A na- tive Californian, he was born, January 19, 1865, in Los Angeles, which was also the birthplace of his father, the late Francisco Lugo. His grandfather, Antonio Lugo, was born and reared in Spain. When a young man he im- migrated to California, and during his day was one of the leading business men of Los Angeles, owning large herds of cattle and horses, and
accumulating much wealth. He married An- tonio Rondon in California.
A life-long resident of Los Angeles, Fran- cisco Lugo became owner of several thousand acres of land that his father bought from the Mexican government, it being a part of the San Bernardino grant. He was not actively engaged in agricultural pursuits himself, but hired men to run his ranch, a large portion of which he lost prior to his death, which occurred at his home in Los Angeles, at the age of sixty- five years. He married Vicente Machado, who was born in Santa Barbara, and died at the age of sixty-five years, in Los Angeles. Both she and her husband were members of the Catholic Church.
Vicente Lugo, with his sister, Francisca Lugo, inherited from his mother's estate thir- teen acres of valuable land, part of the grant known as La Ballona rancho, lying one mile north of Venice, where they are now living, their home being pleasantly located, on a corner lot, on the Short Line Electric Railway. Mr. and Miss Lugo have recenth^ sold twelve acres of their ranch, receiving $1,000 per acre for it, retaining for themselves the home lot, on which their residence is located. Politically Mr. Lugo is a stanch supporter of the prin- ciples of the Republican party, and fraternally is a member of the Foresters of America.
EDWARD C. D. A'AN ORNAM. The first representative of the Van Urnam family in the United States was Great-grandfather \"an Or- nam, who, as may be surmised from the surname, was a native of Holland. Bringing with him all the sturdy qualities for which the Dutch as a nation are noted, he settled in New York state and reared his family amid the trying conditions which alwa}'s pre^•ail in a new country. A grand- son of this immigrant and the father of our sub- ject, Daniel D. A'an Ornam, was born in \\"ills- boro, N. Y., where in his early manhood years he followed his trade of mason and builder. From there he later went to Buffalo, that state, and still later to Massachusetts, in both of which places he continued to work at his trade. Some time before his death he removed to the middle west, settling in Davenport, Iowa, and later in Cedar county, that state, where he died when in his fifty-seventh year. As his wife he had chosen Harriet F. Ross, who was born in Massachusetts, the daughter of Peter Ross, the latter born in New York state of English descent. In the latter's family was an- other daughter, Olive, who became the wife of ^Ir. Burbank, by whom she has one son, Luther Burbank, who is known the world over as the Wizard of Horticulture. INIrs. Harriet F. Van
-^
^^^
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1135
Ornam survived her husband many years, and passed away at the home of her son Edward in Long Beacli September 4, 1906, when she was in her ninety-fifth year. For many years she had been a member of the Methodist Church, and throughout her Hfe she exempHfied the teachings of the Christian religion.
Of the ten children born to Daniel D. and Har- riet F. (Ross) Van Ornam only two are now liv- ing, Edward C. D. and Ferris B., both of I-ong Beach. Edward C. D. was born in Champlain, N. Y., August 8, 1836, and was reared in Buffalo until six years old, when the family removed to Massachusetts, settling in Worcester. He at- tended the public schools of that city for a time, but later returned to Buffalo, where he was a pupil in the public schools. By the time he had reached his sixteenth year he had settled upon definite plans for his future career in the business world. From his father he learned the brick- mason's and builder's trade, and in 1854, when the family renioved to Davenport, Iowa, he worked side by side with his father in the execu- tion of the many and important contracts which came to them. Among them may be mentioned the Cook & Sargent's marble block, the Episcopal Church of Davenport, besides numerous fine resi- dences. After he followed his trade continuously for about twenty years he made a change in both occupation and location, in 1870 removing to Cass county, Iowa, where he purchased wild land and started out as a farmer and stock-raiser. His specialty, however, was the raising of fine stock, consisting principally of high-grade Short-horn Durham cattle. During the eleven years which he carried on stock-raising in Cass county he was fairly successful, but a desire to resume his trade caused him to dispose of his interests there and remiove to Lewis, that county. In that city and Omaha, Neb., whither he later removed, he car- ried on contracting until 1887, during the winter of that year coming to California and visiting many cities in various parts of the state. Long Beach being among the number. He returned to Iowa in the following spring and again took up his trade, but the middle states seemed less at- tractive than formerly and he determined to transfer his interests to the west. Coming to Long Beach in 1893 he at once began to take con- tracts for building and during the twelve years following erected many of the finest buildings in this city. He has erected a number of residences on his own account and later sold them. Since 1905 he has not been in active business and is now living retired in the enjoyment of the com- petency accumulated through many years of con- tinued activitv.
In Durant,' Cedar county, Iowa. Mr. Van Or- nam married Ann M. Dool'ittle, born in Walling- ford, Conn,, her father being Chester Dnolittle,
well known in that state, where his death oc- curred. Mrs. Van Ornam died in 1890, in Lewis, Iowa. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Van Ornam, as follows : Hattie ^L, the wife of Fred W. Snell, of Buena Park, Cal. ; Luther L., who died in early childhood; Bertha F., Mrs. John B. Steen, of Long Beach; William W., also of this city ; Edward E., who died when in his twenty- fourth year; Chester D., manager of the San Pedro Lumber Company at Huntington Beach; and Ralph R., who is in the employ of the Nofzinger Lumber Company, Los Angeles. In his church affiliations Mr. Van Ornam is a Pres- byterian, and politically he is a Republican.
JOHN J. HOUGH. The supervision of the roads of Long Beach district have been in the charge of Mr. Hough for a considerable period and under his direct personal oversight as fore- man and superintendent the work has been maintained at a high standard of excellence, his success in the department being proved by his retention in the office at the solicitation of the people of the district. Mr. Hough is a representative of an eastern family, his par- ents, George and Hester Anna (Tiffany) Hough, having been born, reared and married in New York state, but becoming early settlers of Illinois, where the mother died in 1865. At that time John J. was scarcely four years of age, he having been born in Kane county. 111., November 7, 1861. For a long period the father continued to make his home in Illinois. Twenty years after the death of his wife he came to California and settled at Garden Grove, Orange county, where he remained in retire- ment from active cares until his death in 1893, at seventy-five years of age.
Little of special importance occurred to mark the years of Mr. Hough's youth. Edu- cated in common schools, he was fitted for active participation in life's duties and respon- sibilities and was qualified to discharge his obligations as a citizen. In young manhood he chose agriculture as his vocation and for some years tilled the soil of an Illinois farm. When he came to California in 1878 he bought land near Santa Ana and for some years con- ducted general ranch pursuits, but finally- disposed of his holdings and removed to Long Beach in 1893. On the corner of Orange and Seventh streets he established his home, sur- rounding which he owned five acres which he utilized for a market garden. For a short time he engaged in truck farming, but soon the rise in property values made his place too high-priced to retain for such purposes, and he afterward sold three acres at a gratifying
1136
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
advance on the original cost. In 1896 he was appointed road superintendent of Long Beach district, which position he has since satis- factoril}' filled.
While living in Orange county. Air. Hough was married at Garden Grove, June 30, 1886, being united with JMiss Alice Sturgess, a native of England, and, like himself, a member of the Alethodist Episcopal Church, in which faith the}- are training their three children, Sadie, A^anoni and Clinton. Though not a partisan in political ideas and not narrow in his views. Air. Hough is firm in his adherence to the Republican part)- and gives its principles his constant support. The only fraternal or- ganization to v/hich thus far he has given allegiance is the ^Masonic order, in which he holds membership with Long Beach Lodge No. 327, F. & A. M., and maintains a warm interest in its work, upholding its lofty prin- ciples of the brotherhood of man and aiding in its frequent charities.
HARRY M. WILLARD. By means of ex- tended travels through much of the region west of the ]\Iississippi river TMr. Willard has gained a comprehensive idea of this portion of the United States, and his experience, based upon habits of close observation as he followed his occupation in different towns, convinced him that few cities surpass San Diego in scenic beauty and equable climate. During 1897 he traveled south from Utah as far as the City of ^lexico, where he had planned to settle and engage in the building busi- ness, but he was not satisfied with the surround- ings, so returned to the States and visited San Diego on a tour of inspection, the result being that he removed hither and established himself as a contractor and builder.
On a farm near Burlington, Iowa, Harry M. AVillard was born Alay 19, 1858, being third in order of birth among five children and the only one to settle in California. His parents, Samuel G. and Eliza J. (Lansdale) Willard, were natives of Ohio and the latter died in Iowa. The former crossed the plains to California in 1849 and tried his luck in the northern mines for three years, after which he returned to the east, purchased raw land in Iowa, improved a valuable farm, and now, at the age of eighty-five years, continues to reside at the old homestead in retirement from agricultural labors. On the home farm the early years in the life of Harry M. Willard were un- eventfully passed. In addition to common school advantages he had the privilege of studying in Denmark academy, and thus acquired a better education than many farm boys of that day.
On starting out for himself to earn his own livelihood in the world, Harrv M. Willard went to
Kansas about 1880 and became interested in the insurance business at Topeka. His first visit to the Pacific coast was made in 1886, when he bought a team and wagon and traveled overland to Oregon, thence to California. It was thus possible for him to inspect the country much more closely than if the trip had been made via rail- road. When he reached Santa Barbara he began to work at the carpenter's trade, remaining in that town for a year. Afterward he made brief sojourns in Pasadena and Los Angeles, where he followed carpentering. On his return to Iowa in 1889 he gave his attention entirely to the build- ing business, but in 1890 again followed the tide of immigration westward, this time settling at Salt Lake City and engaging in contracting and building with considerable success. Perhaps his most important work there was the superintend- ing of the erection of the building utilized as a courthouse and city hall, which cost $4,000,000 and represented a substantial and unique style of architecture. Since coming to San Diego in 1897 he and his brother-in-law, under the firm name of Willard & Neely, have had the contracts for numerous residences and flats, and St. Joseph's sanitarium, also many buildings at Homestead, Point Loma and Pacific Beach. His residence, at No. 1701 Second street, was erected by himself and he has also built other houses to be sold as opportunity oft'ers. On the organization of the Alaster Builders' Association he became a charter member and at this writing holds the office of treasurer.
The marriage of Air. Willard took place at Burlington, Iowa, and united him with Miss Eva Neely. a sister of William T. Neely, and an active member of the Alethodist Episcopal Church. Mention of her family appears in the sketch of her brother elsewhere in this volume. The Demo- cratic party receives the ballot of Air. Willard at both local and general elections. In fraternal relations he is identified with Silver Gate Lodge No. 296, F. & A. M., in which he was made a Alason, and is also associated with the Wood- men of the World and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
AIORITZ TREPTE. A skilled mechanic, en- ergetic and progressive, Aloritz Trepte is actively identified with the industrial prosperity of San Diego, and as a carpenter and contractor has been an important factor in the upbuilding of the city. He is widely known as a man of sterling integrity, his business dealings being character- ized by fairness and honesty, and he is every- where esteemed and respected. He was bom December 5, 1864, in the kingdom of Saxony, Germany, and in tliat land of industry and thrift was well trained in those habits and virtues that
/^^y'.^!^^^!^
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1139
should make him a desirable citizen of any coun- try. His parents, Carl and Christine (Gurgen) Trepte, were life-long residents of Germany, the father, who was a miller by trade, dying in 1871.
The youngest of a family of nine children, ]\Ioritz Trepte is the only member of the parental household in America. Brought up in Saxony, he received a common school education, and in early life, under the instruction of his grand- father, Gottlieb Gurgen, learned the miller's trade, which he followed until becoming of age. Eager to try his fortunes in the United States, the mecca of every boy of ambition, he immi- grated to this country in 1886, going directly to Milwaukee, Wis., where for two years he worked at the carpenter's trade. Coming to California in 1888, he followed his trade in San Francisco until 1895, when he made a trip to Southern California. Being very much impressed and pleased with San Diego and its surroundings, he decided to settle here permanently. Forming a partnership with Herman Strode, he engaged in contracting and building under the firm name of Strode & Trepte, continuing thus until 1900, when he bought his partner out. Since that time Mr. Trepte has carried on the business alone and in the filling of his many contracts has erect- ed some fine business houses and many hand- some residences. In 1905 he built his own at- tractive residence at No. 155 Twentieth street.
In San Francisco, Cal., ]\Ir. Trepte married Christine Treusch, a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and they are the parents of three chil- dren, Walter, Alvin and Carl. Mr. Trepte is a member of the Master Carpenters' Association of San Diego, and an active worker in the or- ganization. Politically he is a Socialist. Fra- ternally he belongs to the Woodmen of the World ; Turn Verein, of which he is ex-presi- dent ; to the Sons of Herman, and to the Knights and Ladies of Security. Religiously he is true to the faith in which he was reared, being a Lutheran.
MARTIN JULIUS LAURENT. For more than one-quarter of a century Mr. Lau- rent was intimately identified with the devel- opment of Ventura county. Measured by the history of the far-distant ages of the past, twenty-five years represent but a brief epoch, but it is a long time gauged by the present standards of progress and activitv. Not until years after he had settled on a farm in the Santa Clara valley of the south did the near- by town of Oxnard spring into existence. At that time transportation facilities were few and unsatisfactory. Modern farming tools had not been brought to their present state of de- velopment : indeed, the larger part of those
now used \yere but a nebula in the inventor's brain. School and church advantages were meagre. Men had before them the arduous task of subduing an unknown soil and ascer- taining to what products it was best adapted; hence there was little leisure for recreation, yet it was in those days that the charm of gracious hospitality shone at its brightest and the kindly deeds in another's interests were of common occurrence.
In the settlement and development of Cali- fornia almost every nationality was represent- ed. Mr. Laurent represented the French race, being a descendant of a long line of ancestry identified with the history of France. His father, Nicholas, who was a native of that countr}-, became a merchant tailor in Louis- ville, Ky., but later took up farming pursuits among the pioneers of Leavenworth county, Kans., and eventually moved to Douglas coun- ty, where he died at Lawrence. Loyal in de- votion to his adopted countr}-, he offered his services to the Union during the Civil war and served as a member of a Kansas regiment. His wife, Ursul, also died in Lawrence. The eldest child and only son among their three children was jNIartin Julius, who was born in Louisville, Ky., March 14. 1842, and in early bo3^hood accompanied the family to Kansas, there attending the public schools. Practical- ly the first employment which he secured was that of clerk for an uncle at Cape Girardeau, IMo.. and later he engaged in the mercantile business for