Biographies
1921
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WILLIAM F. SPEER.—A splendid example of an enterprising, progressive man
who, assisted by his faithful and gifted wife, is well rewarded for the
attention and energy expended in developing an orange ranch, is afforded
by William F. Speer, who was born in Essex County, N. J., in 1888. His
father was Charles T. Speer, a native of
He was brought up at
During the year 1918, at
JOHN W. MAAG.—Among the men of the younger generation of the vicinity of
He was born in Humphrey,
He established domestic ties by his marriage, in
RICHARD A. BIRD.—A first class caterer, very experienced in the
management of both restaurants and hotels, whose care for the demands of
high grade trade has made him justly popular with the community as well
as the traveling public, is Richard A. Bird, one of the latest comers to
San Juan Capistrano and Orange County. He owns and operates the
celebrated “Palm Cafe” at this place, cleverly advertised before the eye
of the motorist for miles along the
Mr. Bird was born in
All of Mr. Bird’s children were born in
FRANK KYLE KIRKER.—A prosperous rancher with the advantage of a valuable
experience as a mechanical engineer and successful business man is F. K.
Kirker, of
Later, Mr. Kirker studied the science of refrigeration and for years
traveled for the York Manufacturing Company of
On
He later became a
traveling salesman and during the fourteen years that he was on the
road, he demonstrated repeatedly the real stuff that was in him. At
first, he represented the International Harvester Company, and later he
traveled for a wholesale house handling electrical supplies and mining
machinery. He started from
In 1915, he drove
his auto out to
JOHN A. FRIDD.—The
orchardist has long played an important role in the development of
John A. Fridd was
the third child in the order of birth, and was educated in the local
public schools, and at
Mr. Fridd farmed for over two score years in
Fond of social life, Mr. Fridd is a member of the Odd Fellows and the
Masons, being a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner.
He holds his Consistory membership in
CHAUNCEY S. ORTON.—The founder and one of the proprietors of the
Fullerton Ice Company, Chauncey S. Orton, one of Fullerton’s most
progressive and enterprising citizens, has had a broad and interesting
experience as a mechanical engineer.
He was born
In
1905, Mr. Orton formed a partnership with S. C. Campbell and D. L.
McDonald and they established an ice manufacturing plant at
Rock Hill
Fullerton
On
JOHN E. WAGNER.—A very successful business man highly esteemed for his
conservative, yet sane methods and for his ideals and exemplary walk as
a public spirited citizen, is John E. Wagner, who enjoys not only the
natural rewards for his own foresight and labors, but the benefits
accruing from the life and accomplishment of both his father and his
step-fathers, who previously brought his rancho to a high state of
development. With his twin brother, Joseph E., he was born in the
Josephine has become Mrs. William Berkenstock; Charles C. is a rancher
at
For some years, Mr. Wagner leased land and farmed grain, cabbage and
corn under what has been known as dry farming, and in 1905 he became the
owner of twenty acres of a citrus grove, where he took out eight acres
of walnuts and planted his own nursery stock setting out
Mr. Wagner erected a very substantial two-story residence on his ranch
about twelve years ago, and this, the center of a generous hospitality,
has been the mecca of many ever since, at joyous social engagements.
With his good wife, he supported vigorously all the war loans and other
activities of the various drives, and in times of peace he endeavors, as
an enthusiastic Republican, to stimulate a higher regard for civic duty
and true Americanism. His own life has been affected in an interesting
manner by the fortunes of his beloved mother, who passed away in
October, 1901, having reared and educated her children and left a nice
estate. Many were the hardships undergone by the family in those early
pioneer days, in order to win out for a golden future. The estate left
by Mrs. Wagner was settled three or four years after her death,
agreeable to all of the five heirs, who were mutually benefitted.
Mr. Wagner is a
charter member of the Anaheim Elks, Lodge No. 1345 of the B. P. O. E.,
and it is needless to say is among the most popular and welcome visitors
there. He maintains a horseless ranch, a fact of the more interest in
comparison with the early history of the land, and all the work there is
done by tractor power. Two years ago he formed a partnership with Robert
Edens under the firm name of the Orange County Fertilizer Company,
located at
FRANCISCO ERRECARTE.—Another couple from the Basses-Pyrenees whc have
contributed something definite toward the development of Orange County,
and in thus “making good” with their own enterprises, have deserved the
highest respect of their fellow citizens, is Francisco Errecarte and his
good wife, a compatriot with him and an able helpmate in his California
ventures. He was born at Navarra, Spain, fiftytwo years ago, and came to
America when he was nineteen years old, having grown up in Spain on his
father’s farm. He already understood farming and stock raising, and when
he settled at
Mr. and Mrs. Errecarte have a valuable ranch of twenty-three acres
conveniently located about two miles east of Capistrano, on the
HARRY
Having attended the grammar and high schools of
At Golden,
JOHN FRANKLIN WALTON.—A highly respected citizen whose family has been
in
When John was a year old, his parents removed to
The elder Walton
came to
After their
marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Walton settled in
EARL D. GAGE.—A
successful, home-loving rancher, who attributes much of his success to
his clever, devoted wife, and who has, as a Republican advocating the
prohibition of alcohol, lived to see many of his dreams and wishes
realized, is Earl D. Gage,
of
In 1890, Mr. Gage came west to
MARY E. WRIGHT, D. O.—An osteopathic physician and surgeon of marked
ability, who is making a splendid success in her profession in Santa
Ana, is Dr. Mary E. Wright, a graduate of the College of Osteopathic
Physicians and Surgeons of Los Angeles, who, before locating in Santa
Ana, practiced her profession in Los Angeles and Pomona.
Dr. Wright was born near
Dr. Wright is a member of the State and
D. B. GREGORY.—Born near
On
ROY R. DAVIS.—The extent to which modern conveniences have added
attraction, particularly to American life, is shown in such service as
that of the Fullerton Ice Company, directed in part by the city trustee,
Roy R. Davis, one of the firm’s energetic members. He is another native
of
He was born in
In August, 1909. occurred the wedding, at
LEO. F. DOUGLASS.— A highly progressive rancher who has spent most of
his life in the vicinity of Orange and not only has come to be
intimately acquainted with the development of this part of California,
but has himself, in his own skilful handling of his ranch, contributed
toward the enriching of the commonwealth, is Leo F. Douglass who was
born in Ottumwa, Iowa, on
Leo attended the common schools of EI Modena and also the high school at
With his father, Mr. Douglass then purchased forty-five acres in the
Katella precinct between the Santa .Ana River and
JOSEPH E. WAGNER.—A native son of California, born at Placentia, April
20, 1880, Joseph E. Wagner is a son of Charles and Josephine (Andrada)
Wagner, who were born in Germany and Elizabeth Lake, Cal., respectively.
His maternal grandfather was also born in California and still lives at
Elizabeth Lake, almost eighty-eight years of age. Charles Wagner, on
emigrating to the United States, first located in Michigan, where he
followed mining until the discovery of gold in California when he joined
the rush to the new Eldorado, crossing the plains in 1849 in an ox-team
train to California. Later he was attracted to the stock business in the
Elizabeth Lake country of Southern California, where he engaged in sheep
raising and where he was married.
In the early seventies they located at Placentia and engaged in
sheep raising in the Brea Canyon district. He was accidentally killed
while hauling brick from Anaheim Landing to his ranch when our subject
was two months old, in June, 1880.
The mother continued farming and stock raising and afterwards
married John Wagner, a brother of her first husband. They bought seven
acres in Placentia which they improved to oranges and where they made
their home. Afterwards they purchased eighty-six acres in the northeast
part of Placentia which they first set out to vineyard, but when the
vines died they set out Valencia oranges and walnuts and later on the
walnuts were dug out and the land set to Valencia oranges. John Wagner
died in 1898 and Mrs. Wagner passed on in 1899. Her only children were
by the first marriage, five in number as follows: Chas. C. a rancher at
Placentia; Lucy, Mrs.
Ortega of Fullerton; Josephine, Mrs. Berkenstock of Placentia; and John
E, and Joseph E., twin brothers who reside on their ranches in
Placentia. Joseph E. Wagner
from a lad learned farming and received a good education in the public
schools of the Placentia district. During these years he assisted his
mother to improve the ranch and he was nineteen years of age when she
passed away. A year later he became possessor of twenty-seven acres of
the old home, which is located on the Yorba Linda Road and which was
devoted to Valencias, Mediterranean sweets and Navel oranges and
walnuts. Since then he has dug out the walnuts and set Valencia oranges
and has budded the Mediterranean sweets and Navels to Valencias, making
a very valuable and choice orchard. Later he sold twelve acres, so he
has fifteen acres left. In 1920 he completed a large and beautiful
residence of Swiss chalet design and his is one of the show places of
the vicinity.
Mr. Wagner was married in Placentia, being united with Miss Emily
Heinzman, born in Indiana, who came to Anaheim when four years of age,
where she attended school and two children have blessed their union,
Elmer James and lone Olive. Fraternally he is a member of Anaheim Lodge
of Masons and is a charter member of Anaheim Lodge No. 1345, B. P. O.
Elks. Believing in cooperation, Mr. Wagner is a member of the Placentia
Orange Growers Association and is a decided protectionist and
Republican.
JOSEPH OLIVERAS.—A native son of the Golden West, Joseph Oliveras was
born in San Juan Capistrano,
Mr. Oliveras was married in Santa Ana, being united with Miss Vivian
Record, who was born in San Juan Capistrano. He is a lover of fine
horses and has trained several thoroughbreds for polo horses and
disposed of them at a good price. In his line of work he is held in high
regard by his employer. In national politics he is a Republican, while
fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
JOSEPH HILTSCHER.—A rancher with an interesting family history is Joseph
Hiltscher, of Ronineya Drive, to the southwest of Fullerton. He was born
in Sternberg, in Mehren, Austria, on
In 1886, the family crossed the Atlantic Ocean, sailing from Hamburg on
the steamer Retzia, and landed at Castle Garden, New York, from which
city they came direct to California and Anaheim. Here .August Hiltscher
purchased, only three weeks after his arrival, twenty acres on
Orangethorpe and Nicholas avenues. It had been a vineyard, but at the
time of the blight, the vines were rooted out. The newcomers planted ten
acres to apricots and peaches, and ten acres were left for general
farming and the raising of corn and stock. Later, these open ten acres
were planted to walnuts.
Since that time, the apricots, peaches and walnuts have been pulled out,
and the entire twenty acres is now devoted to Valencia oranges. August.
Hiltscher died in 1891; his widow, with the aid of her son, Joseph, made
the above improvements and she died while on a pleasure trip in the
Yosemite Valley in August, 1919. aged sixty-nine.
On
Mr. Hiltscher and his brother engaged in the meat business in Fullerton
for twelve years and had the finest market in town; they killed their
own beef, pork, lamb and mutton, but when the packers got control, they
discontinued their own slaughter. Mr.
Hiltscher sold his interest in the market in 1908 and purchased
twenty.-one acres on the Romneya Drive, and himself set the land out to
Valencia oranges. Later he purchased ten acres adjoining, also devoted
to raising Valencia oranges. He also owns four acres of the old home
place, making thirty-five acres in all. Aside from setting out his own
and his mother’s orchard he has set out for several other ranchers, or
more than 300 acres in all. He is an experienced orchardist and
particularly of citrus fruits and his advice and ideas are sought by
others. He also helped to make roads and clear and break up much land
here. He receives water for his irrigation from a community pumping
plant, and profits by the supply of seventy inches in the well. He built
the home on his ranch himself—and it goes without saying that it is a
comfortable dwelling. He
markets his oranges through the Placentia-Fullerton Orange Growers
Association, and as he is a hard worker his grove shows the best of
attention.
BAUTISTA DUHART.—A resident of California since 1878, when he located at
San Juan Capistrano, is Bautista Duhart, born in Hasparren, Basses
Pyrenees, France,
He continued with them, caring for their stock for seven years when he
formed a partnership with Pierre Daguerre. purchasing a flock of sheep
and they continued together about five years, when he sold his interest
to Mr. Daguerre and then became associated with D. Oyharzabal, raising
sheep for nine years, when he sold out and located in Santa Ana and
purchased a ranch on McClay Street which he set out to walnuts. Two
years later he also purchased his present place of four acres on Hickey
and Baker streets, Santa Ana, where he raises walnuts, oranges and
lemons and where he has a comfortable residence from which place he
operates his other ranch.
In Los Angeles in 1889 occurred the marriage of Mr. Duhart when he was
united with Miss Marie Ydelaray, who was also born in Basses Pyrenees,
France, and this union was blessed with seven children: Leona. deceased:
Stephen assists his father on the ranch; Peter resides at Taft;
Henrietta is Mrs. Crowell of Santa Ana; Helen and Miguel are deceased:
and Josephine is the youngest. Mr. Duhart is a member of the Tustin
Lemon Growers Association
and of the Santa Ana Walnut Growers Association.
With his family he is a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in
Santa Ana, while politically he is a decided Republican.
CARL G. GUTZMAN.—The proprietor of the popular Bon Ton Bakery, at 310
West Fourth Street, Santa Ana, Carl G. Gutzman was born in Pembroke,
Ontario. Canada, on
ARNOLD F. PEEK.—In applying himself to the solution of the important
problem, “What does the public really want?” Arnold F. Peek, proprietor
of the Fourth Street Meat Market, has not only rendered good service to
the community, but he has undertaken to do what was certain of bringing
its own reward, and spelling for Mr.
Peek unqualified success. He was born at White Cloud, Doniphan
County, Kans., on
His father, VV. S. Peek, was a dealer in furniture and hardware, and had
a successful career, also, so that he was able to retire. He passed
away, however, leaving a widow, who was Jennie Arnold before her
marriage, and she is still breathing the balmy air of the Golden State.
Arnold’s education was obtained at the grammar and high schools of his
native state, and also at the State Polytechnic at San Luis Obispo. When
able to assume the responsibilities of a business he formed a
partnership and bought the Chicago Market at 318 East Fourth Street.
Later he sold out his interest to his partner, and on
MERTON BLACKFORD.—The choice for the office of postmaster is not always
wisely made, even after counseling and deliberation, but few if any
communities in all California have greater reason for congratulation on
account of the incumbent in the Federal office than has Fullerton, which
is so well served by the Hon. Merton Blackford, a native of Illinois,
but for years a thorough Californian. He was born at Hoopeston,
Vermilion County, on January 14. 1878, the son of James A. Blackford, a
sturdy farmer who had married Miss Lucinda Thomas, the latter of Welsh
descent while the former’s parents were from Kentucky and migrated to
Indiana in an early day. They had five children, and Merton was the
fourth in the order of Ijirth. Both parents are now among the silent
majority of mankind.
When he was still a child, the Blackfords moved to Holton, Jackson
County, Kans,, and there the lad continued his schooling. Afterward, he
worked on a farm, and then for a couple of years he was busy with
railroad express work.
Coming to California in 1901, Mr. Blackford located at Fullerton and
took up
one
kind of occupation after another, in each case proving the man for the
place. As a Democrat, he received the political support necessary for
nomination as postmaster, and was appointed by President Wilson on
February 15, 19 16.
Since that date the office has been conducted in the most approved
manner, worthy of both the nation and the city, and in accord with the
modern American spirit that insists on faithful and disinterested
service, so much so that on
June
4, 19 20,
he was renominated and again appointed for another term by President
Wilson.
At Anaheim Mr. Blackford was married to Miss Edna M. Moss, a native of
Kansas and the daughter of W. R. and Susan Moss of Olinda, by whom he
has had three children: Alvin. Buford and Nina. Fond of outdoor life and
baseball, Mr. Blackford
also finds recreation and stimulation with his fellows in the Masons and
the Woodmen of the World.
JAMES H. LATOURETTE.—A rancher who succeeded in converting an area of
cactus and brush into one of the choice citrus groves of Orange County
is James H. Latourette, who
thereby discovered the true field for the exercise of his initiative and
enterprise, that of hatching out baby chicks. He was born at Long
Valley, Morris County, N. J., on
In 1910, Mr. Latourette came to California with his family and settled
at .Anaheim, and here he purchased five acres on North Street, which he
set out to Valencia orange trees. Needing fertilizer for his grove, he
started raising poultry, establishing the Latourette Rhode Island Red
Hatchery; and so successful has he been in this field that during the
past season he has hatched, raised and sold some 17,000 baby chicks. His
specialty is Rhode Island Reds, and he has at last reached that degree
of prosperity that his name is a guarantee for anything sold or shipped
by him. He keeps the finest stock obtainable and thus gets good results.
On Christmas Day, 1906, Mr. Latourette was married, at St. Paul, to Miss
Charlotte Crawford, a native of Ridgeway, Winneshiek County, Iowa, and a
lady of natural accomplishments who was educated in that state. She is a
daughter of Henry and Marjorie (Mcintosh) Crawford, born on the Isle of
Man and Wellsville, Ohio, respectively, who were settlers in Winneshiek
County, Iowa, as early as 1854. where Mr.
Crawford died; his widow survives him and now resides on her
orange ranch on Placentia .Avenue near Anaheim. Mrs. Latourette received
her education at the Decorah Institute, after which she was engaged in
educational work until she removed to North Dakota, where her brother,
John Crawford, was a farmer and there she met and married Mr. Latourette.
He gives no small amount of credit for his success to his devoted wife
who has been a constant helpmate and an enthusiastic encouragement to
him in his ambitions. They have two daughters, Marjorie Janet and
Mildred Helen, both students in the Anaheim schools, and parents and
children attend the Methodist Church of Anaheim. Mr. Latourette is a
charter member of the Yeoman Lodge of Amenia, and was formerly an Odd
Fellow.
LEO J. SHERIDAN.—There is always room at the top of the ladder for the
climber who is anxious to reach that goal, and Leo J. Sheridan, the
efficient secretary of the .Anaheim Union Water Company, is an example
of what may be accomplished by a young man who applies himself
energetically to his work, fulfills his duties to the best of his
ability, and brings out the best that is in him.
Mr. Sheridan’s
native state is South Dakota, where he was born at Columbia,
plants, gained a general knowledge of the business, and was appointed
zanjero, holding this position for four years. He was detailed to office
work in Anaheim one month of each year, and when a vacancy occurred in
the office force in the fall of 1919 he was appointed secretary of the
company.
His marriage united him with Miss Evelyn River of Iowa, and their union has been blessed by the birth of one child, a daughter, named Kathleen. Mr. Sheridan is a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church, is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and is further affiliated fraternally with Anaheim Lodge, B. P. O. Elks.
ALBERT BINER.—.A. very energetic and successful young business man, who
has by his efficient management become one of the largest manufacturers
of soft drinks in Southern California, is Albert Biner, proprietor of
the Santa Ana Soda Works, 807 West First Street. He first saw the light
of day at Miles City, Mont.,
The extensiveness of Mr. Biner’s business operations is better
understood when one realizes that it requires five large trucks to
deliver his products throughout the county. The great increase in his
business has made it necessary for him to install another filling
machine. The capacity of the plant is now 1,000 cases daily.
In 1910 Mr. Biner was united in marriage with May Kreider, the
ceremony being solemnized at Olympia, Wash., and this union has been
blessed with four children:
Marjorie, Genevieve, Carolyn and Leo. Mr. Biner’s enterprising spirit is
shown by his membership in the Santa Ana Merchants and Manufacturers
Association and the Chamber of Commerce of that city.
ALVIN F. NOWOTNY.—A rising young man in Anaheim and vicinity is Alvin F.
Nowotny, who came very naturally and honestly by his special gifts, for
his father was one of the men in the early days of Texas capable of
filling public office and assuming a progressive and an aggressive
leadership. Our subject was born in New Braunfels, Texas, on
Alvin Nowotny was sent to the grade school in New Braunfels, but having lost his mother when he was twelve years old, he started to work in a grocery store, and ever since then he has been working for himself. He spent fifteen years in the grocery trade, and then he embarked’ in insurance. He also had a “try” at the hotel management, which if it did nothing else for him. enlarged considerably his knowledge of human nature. In 1908 he came out to Anaheim and entered the mercantile field with Fred Ahlborn; and he remained with him until 1913. In 1914, he tried his luck at men’s furnishings, but after a year, he sold out. Then, in 1915, he went into the grocery business with Fred Marsh, but since then he has been occupied in extending the everenlarging field of the Metropolitan Insurance Company of New York, as assistant superintendent of the Anaheim district.
Mr. Nowotny not only
made his home in Anaheim since coming to California, but in April, 1920,
he purchased his ranch of five acres on East North Street. It was set
out to Valencia orange trees, six and eight years old; and this, with
his customary foresight and enterprise, he has brought to a still higher
state of cultivation. His land is watered from Pumping Plant, Section
No. 2. He belongs to the Anaheim Cooperative Orange Association, and
contributes as far as he is able to its excellent work.
On June S, 1907, Mr. Nowotny was married to Miss Ella Riley, who
was born in the vicinity of New Braunfels, the daughter of John Riley
who had married Johanna Kloepper. The Kloepper family came to Texas in
1849, while the Rileys came to the Lone Star State nineteen years
before. Mrs. Nowotny, attended the grade schools of New Braunfels. Two
children blessed this union of Mr. and Mrs. Nowotny—Raymond A. and Alvin
Wilber. Mr. Nowotny is a Democrat; is a member of the Lutheran Church of
Anaheim; and belongs to the Masons and the Elks.
ERNEST S. GREGORY.—The success that has attended Ernest S. Gregory in
his vocation of building contractor is due to honest dealing, thorough
workmanship, artistic ability and an earnest effort to give satisfaction
to his patrons.
Mr. Gregory is a native of the Old Dominion, and was born
Educated in his early years in the public schools of Virginia. Reverend
O’Rear later attended the Glade Spring Military Academy for four years.
Glade Spring is a Methodist community and he became a member of this
denomination when a young man. Later he took a four years’ course at the
Emory and Henry Methodist College, at Emory, Va., a famous ministerial
college of the South, graduating in 1898. He then entered Vanderbilt
University at Nashville, Tenn.. where he took a post-graduate course.
Taking up missionary work, he spent four years in the mountains of North
Carolina, having headquarters at Asheville. and also taught school in
West Virginia. In 1904
Reverend O’Rear joined the Methodist Conference, his first charge being
at Eminence, Ky.. later serving the churches at Woodlawn. Ky.,
Covington. Ky.. for two years, and Cynthiana, Ky., for four years.
Following this he joined the West Virginia Conference, occupying the
pastorate of St. Paul’s Church at Parkersburg, W. Va., for four years.
In 1916 Reverend O’Rear was called to the pastorate of the Spurgeon
Memorial Church, at Santa Ana. and here his ministry has indeed been
crowned with success, pastor and congregation working together in
closest harmony in promoting the affairs of the church and in enriching
the spiritual life of the community. His marriage, which occurred June
IS. 1904, united him with Miss Ailene Parsons, who was born in Kentucky,
but reared in Marion, Ind., One son, Edward, was born to them during
their residence in Covington, Ky.
DEIDERICH KLANER.—A self-made man who enjoys the satisfaction of having
been able both to acquire excellent property for’himself and family and
to contribute something for the common weal, is Deiderich Klaner, for 3
years a hard-working man in Nebraska, where he improved a farm of 160
acres and was esteemed by all who knew him as a patriotic American ready
to lend a helping hand to every good cause.
He was born about twenty-seven miles from Bremen, Germany, in
Oldenburg, a quiet and pleasant town on the River Hunte, on
Mr. Klaner came to Orange from Nebraska fifteen years ago, and bought
his twenty acres in the Olive precinct. It was then for the most part
bare land, with a small patch of alfalfa; and its present high state of
cultivation is due largely to his experience, industry and foresight. In
time, he built his beautiful, up-to-date bungalow residence at 224 South
Olive Street, Orange. He also owns an excellent citrus ranch of twenty
acres on North Tustin Street, somewhat south of Taft Avenue, which he
has improved, and which is one of the best of its size in all the
county. Orange County has
been fortunate, all in all, in the class of its incoming citizens, and
it has been through such intelligent, industrious and honest burghers as
Deiderich Klaner and his family that much of the present prosperity of
the county has been brought about.
IRVING ALFRED THOMPSON.—A native son in all but birth, having come to
California with his parents in the first year of his life. Irving Alfred
Thompson was born near St. Paul, Minn.,
In 1889 Mr.
Thompson’s parents moved to El Toro. and there he continued to farm
until his marriage in Los Angeles, when he was united with Wilmuth
Newland, who was born in Illinois, the daughter of Wm. T. Newland. the
pioneer of Huntington Beach. For a time the young couple lived in San
Diego, but soon purchased a ranch of sixty acres near Huntington Beach
and engaged in raising celery. He was one of the first to raise celery
in that section and was a member of the California Celery Growers
Association; he was also one of the early beet growers. Having sold his
ranch in 1911. he removed to Madera County and purchased 320 acres four
and a half miles north of Skaggs Bridge and in February. 1912. moved on
the place with his family. He sunk wells and installed an electric
pumping plant, leveled and checked the land and planted sixty acres of
alfalfa. He also engaged in raising grain and stock and bought and fed
cattle and hogs for the market, in all of which he was successful.
In 1919 Mr. Thompson sold the ranch to advantage and came to El
Toro, where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are the parents of
five children: Howard, Clara, Lawrence, Juanita and Irene. Fraternally
Mr. Thompson is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Huntington Beach,
and with his wife is a member of the Rebekahs. In national politics he
is a decided Republican.
JOHN W. TUBES.—The phenomenal growth of the automobile industry in the
past few years has attracted to this field many of the country’s most
capable men, and prominent among these in Santa Ana is John W. Tubbs,
now the manager of the Santa Ana branch of the White Auto Company of Los
Angeles, dealers in the popular Stephens Salient Six and White trucks,
in addition acting as local representative of the Motor Transit Company.
The latter is one of the largest stage companies in the United States,
as they operate along the Pacific Coast from San Diego to San Francisco,
with connecting lines into Oregon, Arizona and the Imperial Valley.
Iowa was Mr. Tubbs’ native state, and there he was born at
Emerson, in Mills County, on
After coming to California he was engaged in the general mercantile
business with Joe Parsons at Talbert for two years. He then came to
Santa Ana, where for the next twelve years he was identified with the
Santa Ana Commercial Company, one of the best-known manufacturing
organizations in Southern California. Especially during the three latter
years of his connection with the company he directed much of the
important activity having to do with its development, filling the
important posts of secretary, treasurer and manager, and continuing with
them until
The marriage of Mr. Tubbs to Miss Stella Brock occurred at Santa Ana on
MRS. C. ELLA WEAVER.—.A. resident of California since 1902, Mrs. C. Ella
Weaver, proprietor of the Santa Ana Rug Factory, was born near Carney,
Hamilton County, Ind., a daughter of Samuel and Rachel (Newby) Wilson,
born in North Carolina and Indiana, respectively. Her father was a
saddler and later a contractor and builder and also followed farming.
Later on the family moved to Wilsall, Mont., and there the father died.
His widow came to Santa Ana in 1898 and she died here in September.
1918, aged eighty-two years.
Ella Wilson was the oldest of their five children and is the only one of the family residing in Santa .Ana. Her parents moved to Iowa when she was eight years of age and she completed the normal course in Albion Seminary, after which she engaged in teaching. For sixteen years she taught in different counties, including Marshall. Story, Grundy, Shawnee and Hardin counties, Iowa, finally becoming principal of the Walnut Hill school in the suburbs of Des Moines. .After this she removed to Topeka, Kans., and taught for two years; she also attended the Friends University at Wichita, Kans. Miss Wilson was married at Newkirk, Okla., in 1900, where she became the wife of Samuel K. Weaver who was born near New Enterprise, Pa., and who was a traveling salesman in Kansas until 1902, when they located in Santa Ana whither her mother had come four years before and Mrs. Weaver joined her mother who was making rugs and was desirous of making carpets. The rugs were originally made by Miss Esther Hill and Lou Burner on West First Street across the street from their present location, when her mother took the embryo business over and they continued the undertaking, In the spring of 1909, her brother, M. C. Wilson, joined them and they started the new place; he was a carpenter and made the looms and other machinery and they then named it the Santa Ana Rug Factory. Since 1918 Mrs. Weaver has been the sole proprietor.
Mrs. Weaver still
preserves the first loom made and used in Santa Ana. Her mother had the
first fly shuttle loom on the Pacific Coast. She now has power looms,
cutters, frayers and twisters, run by electric power, manufacturing
carpets of all sizes up to eleven and a half feet in width and is the
largest rug factory in the county.
Her displays at the various Orange County fairs, as well as the
Glendale Bazaar, has taken its share of prizes. She was bereaved of her
husband
JOHN M. ORTEGA.—A prosperous young rancher whose family is intimately
associated with the early history of Orange County, is John M. Ortega,
of East Commonwealth Avenue, Fullerton, in which town he was born on
John M. Ortega went to school in Placentia and graduated from the high
school at Fullerton, and he also attended the Fullerton Junior College.
During these youthful days, he lived on his father’s ranch; but on
In the fall of 1919, Mr. Ortega purchased six acres of walnuts and six
acres of Valencia oranges on East Commonwealth Avenue, under the service
of the Anaheim Union Water Company, having before that owned a ranch of
eleven acres in North Whittier Heights which he set out to Valencia
oranges. At the end of two and a half years he sold the property which
he had secured as an investment.
One child has resulted from the happy union of Mr. and Mrs.
Ortega—Charles Bille. They are members of the Christian Church of
Fullerton, and Mr. Ortega exercises his rights as a free citizen at the
polls without party dictation and strictly in favor of the right man for
the best place.
ARGUS ADAMS.—A successful California rancher who made no less than four
trips to the Pacific Coast before he was persuaded that he had really
found the Golden State, and yet a representative man of affairs in
Orange County today who has never regretted that he pitched his tent
here, is Argus Adams, a director in both the Fullerton Mutual Orange
Growers Association and the Loma Vista Cemetery, and a resident on South
Acacia Avenue, Fullerton. He was born at Allendale, Worth County, Mo..
on
Argus went to the Allendale schools, and afterwards attended the normal
school at Stanberry, in Gentry County, at the same time growing up on
his father’s farm where he learned to make himself useful. When
twenty-two years of age, he started out to do for himself, and for a
while he rented a farm in Missouri. Then he purchased 230 acres, which
he devoted to general farming.
At Grant City, Mo., on
On
Wayne H. Adams was born near Allendale, Mo., on
NORMAN LE MARQUAND.—Representative of the younger business men of Orange
County is Norman Le Marquand, the wide-awake manager of the Fullerton
Lumber Company, to whose wholesome expansion is traced the experienced
guiding hand of our subject. He was born in Mount Forest, Ontario,
Canada,
Mr. Le Marquand served two years as secretary of the Fullerton Board of
Trade, and he is one of the board’s delegates to the Associated Chambers
of Commerce of Orange County—and no better could be found, considering
his public-spiritedness. He is a charter member of the Knights of
Pythias and of the Fullerton Club, of which he was one of the organizers
and its first secretary. Politically he is a Progressive. In many ways
he has contributed to the welfare of the community with which he has
been closely identified for nearly fifteen years, during which time he
has witnessed the wonderful development of the whole of Southern
California.
CLARENCE R. VANDERBURG.—A far-sighted, progressive young rancher who
worthily represent ones of the sturdy pioneers to whom the United States
owes so much for the expansion of a great empire, is Clarence R.
Vanderburg, who was born at Gushing, Nebr.. on September 6. 1893. His
parents are Lester G. and Jennie (Hiserodt) Vanderburg. prosperous
farmers in Nebraska before they came out to California in 1894 and
purchased fifteen acres in Orangethorpe, five acres of which were set
out to walnuts and some orange trees, while the balance was vacant land.
In 1908, however, Mr. Vanderburg sold his ranch and moved to Montebello;
and there he bought ten acres devoted to oranges, some deciduous fruit
trees and truck gardening.
In 1914, Mr. Vanderburg again sold his holdings, and came to Fullerton,
having bought, the year previous, ten acres in the Orangethorpe
district.
On
account of these successive movings of the family. Clarence Vandeburg
attended the school at Orangethorpe for five years
and then the school at Fullerton for another three, and afterward went
to the Montebello high school, where he was a student the first year the
high school was organized, and he graduated from the Montebello high
school in 1913. On May 11. 1916. he married Miss Hilda Richards, who was
born in the famous cathedral town of Salisbury. England, the daughter of
Herbert R. and Alice M. (Johnson) Richards. Her father was a florist in
England and edited flora! journals; and having removed to Bristol, Mrs.
Vanderburg attended the parochial schools there. In 1906. her folks came
out to Toronto, where her father spent a few months, coming on to
Chicago in December, still interested in the floral trade; and to that
city his family followed. Mr. Richards remained in Chicago for five
years, both conducting a florist business and representing the “American
Florist”: and during that time Mrs. Richards, esteemed by all who had
come to know her. passed away. In 1910 Mr. Richards came west to
California and two years later settled in Montebello; and there he still
lives, active as a florist.
After his marriage, Mr. Vanderburg continued on his father’s ranch,
caring for the ten acres, five of which he had purchased, and he also
built a home there. The ten acres are devoted to the culture of Valencia
and Navel oranges, and though under the service of the Anaheim Union
Water Company, there were eight neighboring ranchers who joined together
and put down a well, having a fourteen-inch flow, suitable for
irrigating their various properties. Mr. Vanderburg markets his oranges
through the Fullerton Mutual Orange Growers Association, and sends to
market some of the choicest fruit raised hereabouts.
A
son, Raymond Lester, has blessed the happy home of Mr. and Mrs.
Vanderburg, who attend the Methodist Church. Mr. Vanderburg for years
was a Prohibitionist, but now that the desired-for goal has been
reached, he believes that attention should be concentrated on the
fitness of the candidate for office.
THEODORE A. MEYER.—A progressive, successful rancher who has had the
advantage of wide travel and a varied, extensive experience in other
fields, is Theodore A. Meyer, a native of the city of Hanover. Germany,
where he was born on
After the war. he made a small fortune in the diamond fields of South
Africa, and later he took a trip to the West Coast. He spent two years
in Africa, and then sailed for India. He was some time in Calcutta and
later in Ceylon; and he had charge of government billets in India. After
a year in India, he went on to Australia, and there he settled in
Adelaide; and so well was he pleased with that country, that he spent
thirty years there. He made up an expedition to explore the continent,
intending to cross from the south to the north, about midway east and
west; but he struck hardships, all his natives left him, and with
another white companion he nearly died of thirst while crossing the arid
regions. On this trip he discovered a gold mine that nine years later
proved to be very productive of the coveted metal. While in Australia,
he was an importer of house-furnishing goods, and he was also captain of
the mounted police in the vicinity of Tanunda and he was postmaster for
seven years at Tanunda. He introduced irrigation into southern
Australia, but had to overcome the stupid obstinacy of the natives, who
were slow to take up new ideas.
In 1911, Mr. Meyer came to California and settled at Upland, where he
purchased six and a half acres of oranges and for six years made that
neighborhood his home. In
1917, he sold out and came to Orange County. Now he has a twenty-acre
ranch on Anaheim Road, near Sunkist Avenue, with four-year-old trees,
which are developing splendidly in a rich soil. He receives the
irrigation water needed from a private pumping plant known as the
Eucalyptus Water Company.
Mr. Meyer has been twice married. He was wedded to his first wife, Miss
Emily Edmonds, in Australia, a native of England who had come to
Australia when she was a mere child. And in Australia the estimable lady
died in 1906. the mother of five children, three of whom are still
living: Mary is Mrs. Martin of Pasadena; Emily is Mrs.
Muir of Los Angeles; and there is
Theodore J. who served in the great World War
with the regular
army as one of the Thirteenth Field Artillery, Fourth Division. He went
through all the major offensives in France, and returned home to
civilian life in September, 1919.
In February, 1917, in the city of Los Angeles, Mr. Meyer was married to
Mrs. Maud (Farnham) Clay,
born in Sanbornton, Belknap County, N, H., a daughter of Horace and Anna
B. (Pike) Farnham, born in Maine and New Hampshire, respectively.
Her maternal great-grandfather Clark served in the Revolutionary
War. Horace Farnham was an expert temperer of tools and watch springs.
He passed away while on a trip to Maine while his wife died in New
Hampshire. Maud Farnham was reared in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., where
she specialized in bookkeeping and when eighteen years of age went to
New York City where she was a bookkeeper for different commercial
enterprises. In that city, too, she was married the first time, being
united with Myron Clay. She came to California in 1907, and became the
pioneer settler in the Golden State tract on the Anaheim Road in Orange
County. When she purchased this twenty acres it was overgrown with
cactus and brush, which she had cleared and improved for farming and she
is now the only one left of the original settlers on the tract. She is a
member of the Placentia Presbyterian Church as well as active in its
Missionary Societies and Ladies’ Social Circle. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer are
both enterprising; are believers in protection and Republicans.
EDGAR W. MOORE.—When the early settlers of California realized the
advantage and oftimes the necessity of irrigating their crops, they
naturally chose the easiest method of accomplishing this—the open-ditch
system; but as the country became more thickly settled and the water
problem grew more acute, the wastefulness of this primitive means was
recognized, and thus the opportunity for a new industry was created,
that of the manufacture of concrete pipe. In this business Edgar W.
Moore has been successfully engaged since coming to Fullerton in 1914. A
native of Missouri. Mr.
Moore was born at Knobnoster, in that state, on
In 1907, desiring to seek broader opportunities for advancement, Mr.
Moore, accompanied by his mother, came to California, and locating at
San Bernardino, became overseer of a large tract of land, remaining
there for six years. He then came to Fullerton and with his brother
engaged in the manufacture of concrete pipe at 202 West Santa Fe Avenue.
In 1919 he bought out his brother’s interest, and is making a splendid
success of his business in which he employs about ten men. He finds a
market for practically all of his output in the vicinity; in addition,
he also contracts to install the pipe in orchards, as well as doing a
general cement contracting business.
On June 6. 1918, Mr. Moore was married to Margaret Wix Haffly,
and a little daughter, Mary Margaret, has come to bless their home. The
family attend the Baptist Church, and in politics Mr. Moore is a
Democrat. He is a member of the Fullerton Board of Trade. With a deep
interest in all that concerns the future of Orange County, particularly
of Fullerton. Mr. Moore can be counted upon to take an active part in
every worthy civic project.
ALEXANDER J. CHRISTLIER.—A citrus rancher who. through his thorough and
exceedingly valuable knowledge of citrus nursery stock, and his
scientific experiments with trees, has done much to advance horticulture
in Orange County, is Alexander J. Christlier, the rancher of West
Orangethorpe Avenue, who was born in Long Lake. Minn., on August 1.
1882. His father was I. A. Christlier, a farmer known for his
progressive methods, and he had married Miss Mary E. Clasen. In 1897 he
came to Los Angeles to live.
Alexander grew up on his father’s farm, while he attended the common
schools of his home district, and in 1900 he followed his father to
California. The latter purchased forty-nine acres on Brookhurst Road and
Orangethorpe Avenue, and at that time it was vacant mesa land; and
Alexander and his brother, B. H., helped to develop the acreage, which
is devoted exclusively to oranges. They have a private pumping plant
with a capacity of ninety inches of water, and so have already solved
the irrigation problem. I. .A. Christlieb passed away in 1917, esteemed
and lamented by all who knew him.
Mr. Christlier is also interested with his brother in a half-section of
land in the Imperial Valley; it is agricultural land, but at present has
no water supply. Ht expects to prove up on ‘it, however, and had it
under what is known as the Relief Act. On his Fullerton ranch he is
digging large pits, three to four feet deep, and putting in a heavier
soil, and thereby hopes to get orange trees of greater strength and
.growth. Mr. Christlier is
a charter member of the Knights of Pythias of Anaheim, and the Anaheim
Exchange.
JESSE GOODWIN.—A farmer whose prosperity and good taste are attested by
the magnificent home he has recently erected on his ranch at the corner
of East Orangethorpe and Raymond, a modern structure, by the way,
notable as one of the finest country residences in Orange County, is
Jesse Goodwin, who was born near Stockton in San Joaquin County on
Jesse Goodwin was four years old when his parents came to Southern
California; he grew up on the farm and attended the public schools at
Tustin and Santa Ana. From
a lad he assisted on the ranch and became an adept at farming. In 1897
he engaged in raising sugar beets near Buena Park, but that year proved
a dry season, and he decided to discontinue the venture. From 1898, for
a year and a half he was employed by the Buena Park Creamery, after
which he came to Orangethorpe and began his career as a citriculturist
by improving a nineteen-acre orange grove now in full bearing. However,
he has disposed of all but nine acres fronting on East Orangethorpe
Avenue devoted to raising Valencia oranges, having brought the grove to
a high standard as a producer both as to quantity and quality of the
fruit, ample water for irrigation being obtained from the Anaheim Union
Water Company. The elegant residence already referred to was completed
in December, 1919, where the family generously dispense the old-time
California hospitality.
In November, 1897, Mr. Goodwin was married at Buena Park to Miss Rose
Hickey, born near Montgomery, Ala., and the daughter of Richard and Jane
(Weathers) Hickey. They came to California when Mrs. Goodwin was ten
years old, so that she almost regards herself as a native daughter. Six
children have been granted Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin. Ina graduated from the
Fullerton high school and. marrying, became Mrs. Jesse C. Michaeli of
this vicinity; Almonis also a graduate of the Fullerton high school,
while Alice I. is still a student there. The other children, Herbert,
James and Donald, are pupils at the grammar schools. Mr. Goodwin was
made a Mason in Fullerton Lodge No. 339, F. & A. M., and was exalted in
Fullerton Chapter, R. A. M.; he is also a member of Santa Ana Council,
R. & S. M. and the Fullerton lodge of Odd Fellows, being a past grand in
the latter. With his wife he is a member of both the Eastern Star and
the Rebekahs. Mrs. Goodwin is a member of the Methodist Church in
Fullerton while Mr. Goodwin is a firm believer in protection and
naturally a decided Republican.
LORON W. EVANS.—The prominent citizen and prosperous rancher, Loron W.
Evans, whose property lies about one mile north of El Modena, is
not only a good horticulturist, but a most excellent manager. His thrift
and progressive ideas make him a leader among El Modena’s citizens, and
in the seventeen years of his residence in this locality he has
prospered and is now enjoying the fruit of his arduous labor of past
years. His home ranch comprises sixteen and one-half acres, and this in
conjunction with the ranch of his sister, M. Lulu Evans, makes
thirty-five acres under his care. With the exception of two acres Mr.
Evans set out the entire thirty-five acres to citrus fruit, starting his
groves from the seed and afterward budding them to Valencia oranges and
lemons, of which latter he has five acres.
Mr. Evans is a native of Iowa, having been born near Ackley, August 8.
1870. His father Owen, was
born in Reading. Pa., and his mother, who in maidenhood was Emily L.
Andrews, was a native of Southern Ohio. His parents were married in Iowa
and the father followed the occupation of a house painter, decorator and
carriage painter. The paternal grandfather, Owen Evans, who was a native
of Wales, was an iron worker and foundryman. and built one of the first
blast furnaces ever erected in Pennsylvania. He was married in his
native country to Annie Peregreen. Mr.
Evans is the second child in order of birth in a family of five
children, namely, M. Lulu, Loron W., Jessie M.. Frank Uriah, and Myrtle,
the latter three being deceased. Loron W. was four years of age when his
parents removed to Firth, Lancaster County, Nebr., in 1874, and the
family shared incidentally in the vicissitudes that came to that section
of country through the grasshopper scourge in those years. The elder
Evans followed his trade of house and carriage painter at Firth, and
when. Loron was a lad of fourteen the family moved to Dawes County,
Nebr., 170 -miles from the railroad, and homesteaded a piece of land.
Loron helped turn the virgin sod of Nebraska and attended the district
schools, later becoming a student in the State Normal at Peru, Nebr. He
passed the teachers’ examination and taught school in Dawes County,
Nebr., and in 1903 accompanied his father, mother and sister to
California. settling in El Modena precinct, on the east side of Alameda
Street. The father purchased twenty-one and a half acres of land and
later added to this by the purchase of another twenty acres. The father
died at El Modena in 1908, aged sixty-three; the mother was sixty-seven
at her demise in 1914. In 1901-2 Loron W. made a trip to Oregon and
engaged in the vocation of carpentering at Corvallis, remaining there a
little over a year. He returned to Orange County when his father
purchased the present home place,
For many years Mr. Evans has been associated with the John T. Carpenter
Water Company, which furnishes water for irrigation. He was first a
stockholder in the company, then became a director and in 1908 was
elected its president, in which capacity he has served continuously ever
since. The company served about 1,100 acres of citrus land and obtained
the water from Santiago River wells. Mr. Evans is a trustee from El
Modena precinct on the Orange Union high school board, and has served on
the election board and as juryman in the district court at Santa Ana. He
is a stockholder in the National Bank of Orange, is a member of the
Central Lemon Growers Association at Villa Park, is director and
vice-president in the McPherson Heights Orange Growers Association and
also a director and president of the Orange County Fumigation Company
from its organization. Politically he is a Republican in national
issues, but in local matters is governed by principle and votes for the
man he thinks best qualified for the public office. Mr. and Mrs. Evans
are members of the First Methodist Church at Orange.
ANTONE BORCHARD.—This enterprising, successful rancher was born near
what is now Oxnard, where the well-known sugar beet factory is located,
on
When Casper Borchard first came to California, the livestock business
was the one great occupation which engaged nearly all of the white
settlers in the state, and he soon began to raise cattle, horses, mules,
some sheep and even goats. He was from the beginning well supported by
his five sons and three daughters, the boys caring for the cattle on the
hills of Ventura County from the time they were old enough to ride a
horse. For a while, Casper had a herd of about 900 cattle, and he became
the owner of mor-e than 3,000 acres in Ventura County, and of about as
wide a stretch in Madera County. He came down to Orange County, and with
his excellent judgment of soil and farming lands bought extensively in
the Gospel Swamp south and east of what is now Huntington Beach. He
added to his original purchases from time to time, until he became one
of the large landowners in Orange County, while he also retained his
large holdings in Ventura and Madera counties.
These worthy parents reared eight children. Rosa is now the wife of
Silas Kelley, the rancher of Ventura County, and resides at Newbury
Park; Mary presides over her father’s house; Leo was an extensive
rancher near Huntington Beach, now retired in Santa Ana; Casper, Jr., is
a rancher near Newbury Park; Antone. the fifth in the order of birth, is
the subject of this review; Frank P. is another large landowner residing
in Santa Ana; Charles is a rancher at Fairview, Orange County; and
Theresa is the wife of Ed Borchard, a rancher at Newbury Park.
Antone Borchard began riding the range with his father, making himself
generally useful about his father’s extensive grain and stock farm, and
so well did he early learn to handle horses that he was able to drive
two, four, six, eight or, finally, even thirtytwo horses on the great
Holt combined harvester and thresher used by the Borchards in reaping
the golden grain of Ventura County. He saw the establishing of the great
Oxnard Sugar Factory; and as the Borchard land was well-suited to the
growing of sugar beets, they became interested in that industry and took
rank among the leading beet growers, as they had previously led in the
livestock and grain farming industries.
When twenty-two
years of age, in partnership with his younger brother, Frank P. Borchard,
he rented his father’s grain ranch of 3,000 acres in Ventura County, and
for four years, or until he married, the brothers farmed it successfully
together. In 1911 Mr. Borchard was married in that county to Miss Anna
Kellner. a young lady of German birth who has proven a most excellent
wife and helpmate. She was born in the ancient town of Duderstadt,
Hanover, the daughter of John and Anialia (Adler)KeUner, farmers who
also had a bakery and a restaurant, and who because of their industry
and enterprise, became prosperous. Her father had been a schoolmate with
Casper Borchard; and when the latter returned to California from a visit
to Germany in 1906, Miss Kellner and several other young women and men
of Duderstadt accompanied him. Her parents both lived and died in
Germany, and she still has four sisters and two brothers living in that
country. They duly landed in New York after an uneventful voyage across
the Atlantic, and on
Although a man who
has succeeded beyond the majority of men, so that he is now a man of
wealth and affluence. Antone Borchard still actively farms his own
place, and can be seen any day superintending the place and doing what
is necessary to be done around the ranch, where he is constantly making
improvements.
HERBERT ANDREW
He received a good public and high school education, which was
supplemented with a professional course in the dental department of the
University of Southern California, from which he graduated in 1918 with
the above degree. He saw service in the Medical Corps of the U. S. Army,
stationed at Camp Greenleaf, Ft. Oglethorpe, Ga., and upon being
discharged he opened his practice in Fullerton. He is a young man of
fine characteristics, standing on the threshold of a promising future,
and has become substantially identified with the dental profession at
Fullerton, in which he has built up a lucrative practice. He is a member
of Los Angeles County Dental Association, Southern California Dental
Association and the National Dental Association, and also of the Delta
Sigma Delta Fraternity.
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Fullerton;
politically he is nonpartisan; and fraternally he affiliates with
Anaheim Lodge 1345 of Elks; is a member of the Fullerton Club and the
Hacienda Country Club of La Habra as well as the Board of Trade, and
takes a warm interest in the general welfare of Orange County.
PLEASANT B.
From a lad Pleasant
B. cheerfully learned the tasks necessary for making a success of
farming as carried on in Tennessee and meanwhile obtained a good
education in the grammar school in his neighborhood. He assisted his
parents on the home farm until he came to Orange County, Cal.. in 1906.
For three years he was in the employ of Mr. Zemeau, a retail oil
merchant in Santa Ana, then for two years with the Pioneer Truck Company
after which he had a position with the Standard Oil Company until he
resigned in 1915 to become foreman on the present ranch of W. A. Cook
until 1919, when he took over the lease of 200 acres, which he devotes
to raising lima beans. He is an energetic and progressive young man of
the type that makes a success in life. He established domestic ties by
his marriage in Santa Ana,
THOMAS BLACKLOCK
WELCH.—For many years well known in the Eastern markets through his
association with the mercantile business, Thomas B. Welch has spent the
past ten years of his life as a citrus rancher. Mr. Welch was born at
Botsford, Westmoreland County, New Brunswick,
In Halifax, Nova
Scotia, on
Mr. and Mrs. Welch are the parents of five children: Jessie M. is the
wife of Frederick B. Murlock, superintendent of the Memorial Hospital at
Richmond, Va.; Edward A. is owner and manager of the Medford Wholesale
Grocery Company at Medford, Ore.; Emma V. is the wife of Nelson P. Young
of Los Angeles; Edith G. is the wife of Charles R. Selover of Yorba
Linda. It was through Mrs. Selover’s initiative that the Yorba Linda
Public Library was started, and she supplied the first books for the
shelves. The youngest son, Harold C, is the manager of a ranch of eighty
acres at La Habra. Mr. Welch is devoted to the land of his adoption and
gave freely of his time and means in all the Red Cross work and loan
campaigns during the recent war. In politics he is a stanch adherent of
the Republican party. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church
and their comfortable home is a center oi hospitality for the community.
ARTHUR WALDO PURDY.—From good old “down East” Nova Scotia have come much
of the brawn and brain which at times have proven so efficacious in
promoting needed enterprises in the Golden State along the most rational
and successful lines, and Nova Scotians settling in California have
taken a prominent part, in particular, in the development of California
agriculture. Arthur Waldo Purdy is a living representative, in his
aggressive operations as owner of the Fullerton Sanitary Dairy, of just
what the thoroughly-trained farmer from that favored section of America
may do, given the almost unlimited opportunities of the Pacific Coast.
He was born in Digby County, N. S., on
For a while he engaged in the lumber business with a brother, taking up
all sides of it, even to the running of a sawmill, and then, for
fourteen years, he was dairying, for six years caring for the estate of
J. E. Devlin at Wilton. On the first of December, 1915, he came to
Fullerton, and here he again engaged in dairying. Since that time he has
developed his interests so that he now has three milk wagons and
supplies the highest grade of milk to Placentia, Brea and Fullerton.
When he started in the business here, he had fifteen cows and employed
one assistant; now he keeps seven people busy caring for his
LE ROY E. LYON.—A well-educated, well-read and altogether interesting
gentleman whose enterprise and foresight have frequently been
demonstrated in a striking manner, is Le Roy E. Lyon, who was born in
Wilmington, Lake County, 111., on
Le Roy was brought up in Kansas and attended the grammar school until
his twelfth year, when he removed with his parents to North Park, Colo.,
and there attended the high school at Boulder. Having been graduated
from the latter, he matriculated in the law department of the University
of Colorado at Boulder, and continued to study there until his junior
j-ear; but on account of the bad effect upon his health by the
confinement, he abandoned the law course, and in 1911 came out to
California to seek a permanent location.
During vacations. Mr. Lyon assisted his father and rode the range, and
this gave him an excellent opportunity to practice shooting, so that he
became very adept. When he
started in high school, he continued shooting, and in the state matches
won the Colorado state championship. Then as a member of the state team
he represented Colorado in national matches, and for three years his
team, and he also personally, won many honors. In the report of the
National Rifle and Revolver Association of America both his portrait and
pictures of the cups he won grace the volumes, and some of these cups he
now has in his home. Mr.” Lyon has won over seventy medals for expert
shooting, some of them very difficult to attain.
He holds two seventy-five-yard revolver records—world attainments—having
made ninety-three points out of one hundred, and also the world’s
fifty-yard record, where he made forty-nine out of fifty. By being an
expert shot he put himself through high school and college in this
manner, nor need he apologize for the means he provided, especially
considering the educational target he was aiming at. In 1912 Mr. Lyon
went back from California to Colorado to participate in the state
championship match, and it was then that he made this wonderful record
in shooting, and for the third time.
When, in 1911, he bought his present place of eighteen and
one-half acres in the Commonwealth school district it was undeveloped
land, partially covered with cactus.
This he cleared off and leveled the land; then he bought an interest in
a water company, and with others developed water and installed an
electrical pumping plant, distributing the water by means of cement pipe
lines. The plant was incorporated as the Pilot Water Company, and of
this organization Mr. Lyon is secretary and treasurer, and a director.
It irrigates already 158 acres of citrus groves, so that it probably has
an interesting future. Mr. Lyon set out the nursery stock, and budded
them to Valencia oranges, and thus himself made his eighteen and a half
acres a fine Valencia orange grove, now in good bearing. Until he got
well started with his citrus industry, he raised vegetables of various
kinds, particularly potatoes. He operates the ranch with a Ford tractor,
and all his other machinery and implements are of the latest and best
design. He is a member, and
a very interested, progressive one at that, of the Placentia Mutual
Orange Association, and supports its programs vigorously.
In San Bernardino County, Cal., Mr. Lyon was married to Miss
Mildred Laney, a native of Missouri who came to California with her
parents. She attended the Anaheim high school, and grew up in the
Presbyterian Church. Mr. Lyon is clerk of the board of trustees of the
Commonwealth school district, and in national politics he is a
Republican.
JUAN D. ORTEGA.—An interesting representative of one of California’s
oldest and proudest families is Juan D. Ortega, the experienced,
efficient and genial manager of the famous James McFadden ranch south of
Santa Ana, who is also related by marriage with another celebrated early
house, that of Tico. He was born at Santa Barbara on
Juan D. Ortega grew up in Santa Barbara County, and was married in
Ventura to Eduvige Tico, the ceremony occurring in 1866; and she is
happily still living, the mother of six children. Carlos B. was the
eldest and kept the hotel on the Irvine ranch; he died on
In 1869 Mr. Ortega came to San Diego County and there commenced a
ranching experience of fifty years, during which time he knew Ernest
Erastus Horton, the Spreckels and other leading men of the city and
county of San Diego. For the past three and a half years he has managed
the James McFadden ranch, which is a landmark at Santa Ana, being
devoted to general or mixed farming. It was owned by the late James
McFadden. the pioneer, who built the railroad to Newport Beach and owned
the steamboat plying between San Francisco and Newport, and had much to
do with the building up of Santa .A-na and other parts of the Southland.
His widow and daughter still own the ranch, and live at Altadena, and
the family name is everywhere held in esteem.
Mr. Ortega has always been as hard-working as he has been successful,
and his foresight, industry and prosperity have entitled him to a
reputation such as anyone might envy.
JOHN KNOWLTON BROWN.—A studious agriculturist who, at the age of
eighty-one, is still active in California horticultural circles as the
owner of three trim ranches, is John Knowlton Brown, the philanthropist
of Anaheim, who was born on
Mr. Brown next took up photography, made a business of it, and succeeded
so well that he was active in that field for three years; and having
accumulated a small fortune, he entered the retail shoe business at
Lawrence, Mass., but he soon sold and located in Worcester, Mass.
Whatever he did, seemed to prosper; he conducted at one time as many as
four stores; and he has owned and sold fifty-one mercantile
establishments. In 1887 he was a prime mover in the organization of the
Retail Shoe Dealers’ National Association of the United States, and its
first president, during which time he was the father of the standard
last measurement for shoes, which was adopted by the association. After
he quit the retail business Mr. Brown traveled extensively over the
United States for wholesale shoe houses. In 1909 he made his first trip
to California and finally located in Los Angeles. In 1914 he purchased
an orange grove and later bought another on West Broadway, Anaheim,
where he makes his home. In
1917 he quit traveling and devotes all of his time to his orchards.
How successful he has been may be judged from the fact that he
has been offered $70,000 for his ten and one-third-acre grove of citrus
trees, and refused the ofifer. He assisted to start the Anaheim Lemon
and Orange Association, and is still a member of the same. Besides his
California holdings, Mr. Brown also owns a farm of 320 acres’ in Maine
and several business and residence lots in Los Angeles; and he has some
real estate in Worcester, Mass.
On
PETER JACOBSEN.— A hard-working rancher who owes his success largely to
his own honest efforts and unremitting, fatiguing toil, is Peter
Jacobsen, of East Orangethorpe Avenue, who was born on the Island of
Taasinge, northern Denmark, on
He attended the excellent graded schools of Denmark, and up to his
eighteenth year remained at home on the farm. Then he struck out for
himself and came to the United States; and having caught a glimpse of
the East, pushed on to Lakeview.
Pierce County, Wash., about ten miles from Tacoma, where he spent
about one year on his uncle’s farm. Then he worked for a couple of years
in the brickyards on Anderson Island in Puget Sound, after which he came
down to Southern California in 1892.
Here he entered the employ of Charles C. Chapman and soon became
the head orange-grader for the Chapman Packing House at Placentia. He
gave such satisfaction, and was himself so well satisfied with the
Chapman methods of industry and trade that he remained with that famous
establishment for twenty-one years, and left them only when he
determined to found a home place for himself.
In 1907 he had purchased two acres of land on East Orangethorpe
Avenue for which he paid $150 an acre, and in 1919 he sold the same for
$7,500. a price showing a phenomenal increase in value in a single
decade. In 1917 he had bought five acres lying opposite to the two he
had sold, and since then he has been developing this land in accordance
with his careful methods and now has a splendid Valencia orange grove.
As a part of the improvement, he
has erected there a modest, but comfortable home, adding decidedly to
the attractiveness of the property. Besides caring for his own five
acres, Mr. Jacobsen is also a grader of oranges for the Placentia Mutual
Orange Growers Association.
On
WILLIAM W. KAYS.—An architect who has done much to elevate the standard
of common sense taste in architectural art in Orange County, and to
increase the safeguards to life and property through other common sense
measures and devices, is William W. Kays, a native of Old Kentucky,
where he was born at Nicholasville, Jessamine County, on
In the fall of 1910 Mr. Kays came to Santa Ana and assumed the
responsibilities of managing the Pendelton Lumber Company. He also
engaged in architectural work.
In .April, 1917. he sold out his other interests and confined
himself to the designing and supervising of new buildings. Since then he
has erected many of the most notable structures in Orange County. He
designed, for example, the athletic building of Polytechnic high school.
Santa Ana, as well as the Bolsa grammar school, the John C.
Tufifree residence, the Cross home at Fullerton, the Kraemer
residence at Placentia, the D. Woodward dwelling at Loftus Station, the
John Ruther home at Anaheim, the Bergerhof residence at Garden Grove,
the home of Sherman Steven at Tustin, Fred Rohrs’ building and store
fittings for Spier and Company, as well as the fixtures in the .American
National Bank of Santa Ana, and numerous other buildings more or less
costly in construction; these he both made the plans for and supervised,
while they were being constructed. As his business has grown and
branched out, he has for convenience, opened an office and sales service
in the Pantages building, Los Angeles, so he divides his time between
the two places.
The marriage of Mr. Kays took place on
WALTER H.
He has been very successful in his chosen line of
work and has done an extensive business, both in exterior and interior
plastering. Being a man of unquestioned integrity of character in his
business relations, Mr. Kidd believes in putting his best efforts in
every piece of work, regardless of its being a large or small contract,
and he thus has attained an enviable reputation for satisfactory
workmanship. Among the important buildings in Orange County for which he
received the plastering contract are the following: German-Ajiierican
Bank Building and St. Boniface Catholic Church, Anaheim; La Habra, Olive
and Bolsa school buildings. He also had the contract for the plaster and
cement work on the Polytechnic Building of the Fullerton Union high
school, on which he put 5.000 feet of cement moulding. Among the
high-class houses plastered by this enterprising contractor are the
beautiful residences of Charles H.
Eygabroad and Alexander H. Witman, Jr., in
Anaheim; but the greater part of his work has been done on the new ranch
homes located in the Fullerton, Placentia and La Habra districts. His
extensive operations keep a crew of thirteen men busy.
Mr. Kidd’s marriage occurred in Los Angeles
when he was united with Miss Tuletta Vivian, a native of England. Two
sons, James and Herbert, have been born “to them. The family attend the
Seventh Day Adventist Church.
JACOB RUEDY.—A prosperous orange grower who previously had made an equal
success as a planter in Virginia, raising peanuts, is Jacob Ruedy, of
East Orangethorpe Avenue, near Raymond, Fullerton, who was born at the
famous Falls of the Rhine, Schaffhausen, Switzerland, on
In 1879 he came to America and joined a sister, Mrs. Annie Weber, at
Pittsburgh, Pa., with whom he lived for a couple of years, and in 1882
he removed to the vicinity of Petersburg, Va. There he purchased a farm
of 600 acres, and he raised peanuts and cotton and stock. This ranch was
near where the present Camp Lee is located; and there he lived for
thirty-five years.
At Petersburg, on
Mr. and Mrs. Ruedy are members of the Methodist Church of Fullerton, and
delight in taking part in good works for their neighbors and the
community generally. They
have also done what they could to maintain a high civic standard, and to
instill patriotism, and during the recent war they did good war work.
FRANK J. DAUSER.—The ever-interesting pioneer history of California is
recalled in the story of Frank J. Dauser and his family, of East
Commonwealth Avenue, Fullerton, for his father came here when the land
was covered with wild mustard, sage and cactus, and he was among the
earliest to demonstrate that raisin grapevines have a longer endurance
than those designed for the production of wine. The grandfather of Mrs.
Dauser was also an early settler in the Golden State; hence, California
and its stirring past has ever been a theme in the Dauser circle, where
the brilliant and certain future of the state has also been present to
inspire to renewed activity.
Mr. Dauser was born on
Settling in what is now Fullerton they purchased within six months after
their arrival some twenty acres on Cypress Avenue, east of Fullerton,
which they planted to raisin grapes; and such was the greater hardihood
of the vines, as compared with some of the wine grapes, that they
continued to yield for five years after their period of full bearing. As
the grapes died out, Mr. Dauser sensibly planted Valencia, Navel and St.
Michael orange trees, setting out one tree for every twenty-four feet,
and around the edge of the grove placed a row of walnut trees.
Frank J. Dauser went
to the Placentia schools, there being no Fullerton at that time, and
remained at home on his father’s farm until he was twenty-two years of
age. Then, on
After their marriage, Mr. Danser was employed for a while in the planing mills at Fullerton, for Brown and Dauser Company, in time becoming foreman of the yard, serving in that capacity until he decided to engage in ranching, after sixteen years with that company. He then was given charge of the Brown ranch of 20 acres in La Habra which he set to Valencias and lemons, continuing there for four years, when he located on his own ranch purchased from his father. It comprises 10 acres or one-half of the original estate, which is devoted to raising oranges. His land, unusually rich and fertile, is under the Anaheim Union Water Company, and he markets through the Fullerton Mutual Orange Growers Association.
Five children are the pride of Mr. and Mrs. Dauser: Cyril J. has already
graduated from the high school at Fullerton, now attending Woodbury’s
Business College in Los Angeles; Mildred attending Fullerton high, and
Clarence, Vincent and Dorothy are pupils in the grammar school.
GARDNER W. CLOSSON, D. V. S.—As county livestock inspector of Orange
County and veterinary surgeon of Anaheim, G. W. Closson, D. V. S., is
carrying on a work of much importance to the prosperity and growth of
the district, and his conscientious attention to his duties has won him
the respect and admiration of his fellow citizens in the county. A
native of Kansas, he was born in Smith County,
That same year Dr. Closson came to California, and opened the practice
of his profession in Santa Ana, since which time he has been in active
practice in Orange County and very successful in his methods of
treatment, being the oldest veterinary in point of service now in the
county. For the past eight years he has been county livestock inspector
and has accomplished much good during this term of service, among other
things has driven out the Texas fever tick, and made the county
reasonably free of glanders. In addition to his professional duties. Dr.
Closson maintains a forty-cow dairy one and one-half miles east of
Anaheim.
The marriage of Dr. Closson united him with Miss Wilma Crevling, a native of
Iowa. Fraternally he is a member of Anaheim Lodge No. 1345, B. P. O.
Elks and professionally he is a member of the American Veterinary
Medical Association and the state association and of the Southern
California branch of that order, of which he is a past president and he
is past president of the Los Angeles Veterinary Medical Association.
In politics he is a stanch Republican. His years of experience
and practical knowledge have been of great benefit to the ranchers in
Orange County, and combined with his scientific studies, it would be
hard to find a man more fitted for the position he occupies in the
community.
LEONARD PARKER.— A sturdy pioneer who in early days saw active service
in helping to quell the Indian outbreaks in Nebraska, and who has been
identified with the development of important interests in California
since the middle of the nineties, is Leonard Parker, who was born at
Racine, Wis., on
When he was seventeen, he and his brother Samuel moved on to Jefferson
County, Nebr., and near Meridian the brother took up 160 acres of
prairie land, which he devoted to wheat, barley and corn. He joined
Company C of the Nebraska Militia and soon had a hand in quieting the
Indians. On October IS, 1879, he was married to Miss Mary McKenna, who
was born near New York City, and the daughter of Patrick and Margaret
McKenna who came to Nebraska in 1859.
In 1881, Mr. Parker moved to Pueblo, Colo., and there he was employed by
the Colorado Coal and Iron Company, for the following three years. When
he moved back to Nebraska, he settled in Scotts Bluff County, and taking
up a quarter section of homestead land, raised grain. He stayed two
years on the Nebraska homestead, and then he removed to Portland, Ore.,
in 1888. He went into well drilling, and for seven years helped to
develop the water resources of that state.
On
WILBUR W. WASSER.—Few among the popular officials of fraternities so
well deserve the good will showered upon them as Wilbur W. Wasser, the
able secretary of the B. P. O. Elks Lodge No. 794, at Santa Ana. He
comes from the Hawkeye State, where he was born in Cedar County, on
January 29 of the famous Centennial Year.
His father was J. S. Wasser, a cigar manufacturer, although he
was originally a farmer. He
came to Santa Ana in 1902, and opened a modest factory; and later he
retired, and is still living at this place. Mrs. Wasser was Alice Kiser
before her marriage, and she became the mother of three children, among
whom Wilbur was the only boy. The good mother is now dead.
Wilbur enjoyed the advantages of both the grammar and the high schools
at Tipton, Iowa, but later had to supplement his studies in the much
harder school of practical world experience. He remained with his father
on the farm until he married, and then he farmed for himself. On
In 1915, Mr. Wasser became secretary for the B. P. O. Elks, having the
honor to be the first secretary in the Elks’ new home. He allows nothing
to interfere with his giving the duties of that post his first
consideration; but he is still interested in the culture of oranges, and
is a lover of outdoor life and sport.
In Cedar County, Iowa, on
RAYMOND T. DIXON.—An enterprising business man is Raymond T. Dixon, the
owner of Dixon’s Pump Works at Santa Ana. He comes from the Hoosier
State, at Vincennes, where he was born on
He obtained only the usual grammar school education in his home
district, and came to California in 1911, following a year after his
parents, Charles E. and Mollie fHobb’) Dixon. Before coming West, he had
worked at railroading for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad
out of Caldwell, Kans.. for a couple of years and then engaged in the
automobile and garage business in Caldwell for four years.
On arriving in Santa Ana. Cal., 1912, he entered the field of irrigation machinery, and in 1915 established himself in business in Santa Ana handling and installing irrigation machinery beginning with a modest capital. Two years later he built his present large factory, which has a floor space 150x150 feet in size, located at corner of Fifth and Garnsey streets. He employs twenty-four men in the making and repairing of irrigation machinery, makes a specialty of the Dixon centrifugal turbine pump—one of the best in the country—which he invented and patented, and does work for all parts of Southern California. In addition he also built a foundry to his plant, where he manufactures cast iron, brass and bronze castings, thus making everything for his pumps but the pipe and shafting, and throughout the factory has a large capacity which he is steadily increasing. He has also invented and patented a front wheel flange for the Samson and Fordson tractors which is shipped to the various agencies in the state. His machine shop is equipped with the most modern and up-to-date machinery run by electric power and he is the largest manufacturer of his special line of irrigation machinery in Southern California.
On
Mr. Dixon was made a Mason in Santa Ana Lodge No. 241, F. & A. M., and
was exalted in Santa Ana Chapel No. 73, R. A. M., and is also a member
of Santa Ana Council No. 14, R. & S. M., as well as an active member of
Santa Ana Lodge No. 794, B. P. O. Elks. Enterprising and progressive he
takes a keen interest in his membership with the Merchants and
Manufacturers Association as well as the Chamber of Commerce.
Though proprietor, of one of the really important and largest
industrial establishments of the city, Mr. Dixon is never so busy that
he cannot give some time, sooner or later, to hunting and fishing, and
other out-of-door life.
WILLIAM H. ROHRS.—Possessed of the qualities that make for success in
life, William H. Rohrs has taken a place among the prosperous
horticulturists of Orange, a business he has been familiar with from the
time he was a boy. Mr.
Rohrs is a native of Ohio, having been born at Kelly Isle, Buckeye
County, that state, on
On
GUSTAF LEANDER.— An expert mechanic who has also made a success of all
that he has undertaken in other fields, working intelligently and
industriously, and modestly enjoying the well-earned fruits of his
labors, is Gustaf Leander, who was born in Sweden on
He then purchased fifteen and a half acres on Orangethorpe Avenue,
buying the same from J. A. Clark, and devoted ten acres to Valencia
oranges and five acres to walnuts; and he obtains water service for
irrigation from the Anaheim Union Water Company. After trying his latest
venture long enough to form a sensible and helpful opinion, he thinks
there is nothing like ranching, and has decided to stick to his trim
little farm.
On
Mr. Pappas was born
When the war broke out he sold his business to volunteer his services
and enlisted in the One Hundred Forty-fourth Field Artillery (the
Grizzly Regiment) and was sent to Camp Kearny. After a week there he was
discharged because he was not an American citizen. With undaunted
courage and commendable zeal he returned to Orange County, took out his
first citizen’s papers at Santa Ana, and rejoined his regiment at Camp
Kearny. After two months at the camp, volunteers were called for to fill
up the regiments overseas. He volunteered, was sent overseas to France,
became a member of the Thirteenth Field Artillery, Fourth Division, and
was in active service on four different battle fronts, serving as a
gunner working a hundred fifty-five six-inch gun.
He fought at St. Mihiel. Lorraine, Chateau Thierry and the
Argonne. He was gassed at Chateau Thierry, and being rescued from the
field he was in the field hospital three weeks and then rejoined his
regiment, being in active service until the armistice, when he was again
taken ill from the former effects of being gassed and was compelled to
remain in the hospital for six months. He then returned to the United
States and San Francisco,
Being much interested in civic improvement he is also a member of the
Fullerton Board of Trade. Fraternally he is a member of the Anaheim
Lodge No. 1345, B. P. O.
Elks, and a charter member of Post No. 142 of the American Legion. While
he gives undivided attention to his business interests, his duties as a
citizen and a neighbor are never lost sight of, and his fine war record
and indubitable patriotism to his adopted country deservedly entitles
him to the consideration and popularity he enjoys among his
fellow-citizens.
His father was Leopold Strauss, a successful merchant now deceased, and
he married Miss Ricka Silverman, who survives him. They had four
children, and Fred was the youngest of them all. He attended the schools
of Bavaria, and about 1905 sailed for America.
For three years he lived in the bustling metropolis of New York, and
then, having acquired the spirit of American institutions, he came west
to California and located at Fullerton. This was in 1908, and the town
was small and unpretentious as compared with today. There was one firm,
however, among others worthy of such a growing place, and that was Stern
and Goodman. He remained with them until 1917, when duty called him to
the national colors.
In that year he enlisted in the U. S. Army, and served overseas for six
months in France. On
HARRY E. JESSUP.— Among the most enterprising, scientifically-trained
ranchers at present devoting their best energies to the very important
industry, the growing of beans, none has accomplished more for
California husbandry, while attaining most profitable success for
himself, than Harry E. Jessup, the oldest son of Thomas Jessup, the
well-to-do farmer who is ranching both at Garden Grove and on the San
Joaquin ranch. His acreage presents what is well termed one of the trim
“show places” of the county, and is a delight to the eye of those daily
watching the development there of the bountiful crops, and also to those
who often come from afar to learn from Mr.
Jessup the last word in bean culture.
He was born in Illinois on
In 1909 he was married to Miss Lillian Beswick, a popular lady of Garden
Grove, and just the companion desirable for his future field of work and
residence. Two children have blessed their union; and they bear the
attractive names, as they themselves are voted attractive by their many
friends, of Catherine and Dorothy.
Mr. Jessup at present has
JAMES G. ROBERTSON.—An expert electrician with an extensive knowledge,
both scientific and technical, of his interesting subject, and is widely
regarded as one of the best in his field in all the county, is James G.
Robertson, who was born near Marshfield, Mo., on
When he was of age, he went into the telephone business, erecting a
private telephone system, having four central offices and about 1,000
telephones. He also organized and installed the electric lighting plant
for Marshfield. equipped with a fifty kilowatt generator. He ran both
the telephone and the electric lighting plant for six years.
When he sold out to a company, and came west to California. He arrived
in 1911, and came, luckily, direct to Santa Ana. Since coming here he
has purchased a five-acre grove at 2680 North Main Street, which he
devotes to oranges and walnuts.
In 1911, Mr. Robertson started an electric contract business in
Santa Ana, and was soon active in wiring houses, installing motors and
making electrical repair work.
He also handled a large stock of general electrical supplies. Now
his store is located at 303 North Main Street, and is one of the popular
headquarters in the city, patrons knowing that they will find there just
what they need, and often what is not obtainable even in larger cities.
On
THEODORE BROTHERS.—The life story of the Theodore brothers shows what
can be accomplished by pluck and perseverance. Coming to America poor
boys, they have, in a new country, by their own unaided efforts, built
up a prosperous business and, in keeping up with the times in every
respect, have given the community the benefit of their efficient
business methods.
The Theodore Brothers, Gus M., Nicholas and George, were born in
Tripoli, Greece, where they grew up and received a good education in the
public schools. Gus M., when a boy of sixteen, was the first to migrate
to the United States and begin making his way in the New World. His
first employment was with the Santa Fe Railway, in Chicago, and in 1902
he located in Los Angeles, Cal., and there started in to learn the
laundry business.
After working in different laundry plants in that city, in 1910 Mr.
Theodore came to Anaheim and went to work for Mr. J. E. Fisher, who owned
the Anaheim Laundry. After one year the new employee bought out the
laundry, and in partnership with his two brothers, Nicholas and George,
has since carried on the business, during which time they have built up
the concern to a high degree of efficient management, conducting a
modern laundry in every respect, located at 412 South Lemon Street.
All the old machinery has been taken out and new and modern
installed, the firm being always in the market for any appliances which
will increase the high standard of the business. They have recently
installed a $4,000 water softener, and have their own well and pumping
plant on the property; five wagons are used for the convenience of their
patrons, and their trade is drawn from a large territory surrounding
Anaheim; when they acquired the business, in 1911, but fifteen hands
were employed, while fifty-five are now kept busy, an example of the
growth of the business. The two younger brothers came to the States six
years later than Gus M., and have since been engaged in the laundry
business.
While devoting their time to business, Theodore Bros, have also found
time to enter into projects formed for the further advancement of
Anaheim and Orange County, and are active members of the Chamber of
Commerce and of the Merchants and Manufacturers Association of Anaheim,
as well as the Mother Colony Club. As evidenced by their business
methods, they are “live wires” and enthusiastic over the splendid future
they see in store for this section of California. As one would naturally
suppose, they are members of the Laundry Owners Association of Southern
California, as well as the California Laundry Owners Association and the
National Laundry Owners Association.
JOHN EELLS.—A representative citrus grower who has accomplished much.
since he came here in 1904, is John Eells, who is the owner of a fine
ranch on the Loara Road, near Anaheim. Born near Waupun, in Fond du Lac
County, Wis.,
Coming to California in 1904 with his parents, John Eells located near
Anaheim, purchasing a ranch of twenty-seven and a half acres from Joseph
Dauser, which was devoted to walnuts and Navel oranges. Later he
disposed of this property, at different times, and then with his
brother. Charles Eells, bought a tract of forty acres on North Loara
Road, this being a part of the old Browning estate. This they leveled
and set out to Valencia oranges, later he and his brother dividing the
property. Since then Mr.
Eells has disposed of five acres of his share, leaving a fine grove of
fifteen acres, eleven acres being in Valencia oranges, three acres in
Navels and the remainder in deciduous fruits. The ranch is producing an
excellent yield, which Mr. Eells markets through the Anaheim Fruit
Growers Association. In 1906 he built a comfortable residence on his
ranch and there he has since made his home. Six years later he sunk a
water well on his property which is the finest well in the vicinity. It
pumps 100 inches of water and he supplies some of the ranchers of his
neighborhood with irrigation water from it. In 1919 Mr. Eells purchased
an additional five acres of vacant land west of Anaheim and this he has
also set to Valencia oranges. He is giving all his holdings the best of
attention and care and is being rewarded in the fine grade of fruit that
is being produced.
Mr. Eells first marriage occurred at Waupun, Wis., when he was united
with Miss Tillie Erickson, a native of Sweden, who came to America when
a young woman. She passed away in February, 1916, leaving two children,
Doris and Marion. On
HENRY D. WITT.—A rancher who cultivates in the most scientific fashion
with a modern tractor, and who boasts, therefore, of one of the choicest
grove properties in this section; is Henry D. Witt, the son of the
well-known Michael Witt and his good wife Sarah (Trumpey) Witt. He was
born in Monroe, Wis., on September 11, of the great Centennial Year, and
he has kept pace with the growth of the second century of the nation
ever since.
When Henry was six years old, in 1882, his parents came west to
California and brought him along, thus almost making him a native son of
the Golden State; and it happened, therefore, that he was brought up to
attend the public schools of Santa Ana, fortunate in having one of the
best systems of education for a small town; and later, when ready for
it, he pursued a profitable course at the progressive business college
in the same city.
For some years, he lived at the Seventeenth Street home, where the
family lived for eighteen years; and when that was sold in 1902, the
father built his home on the South side of La Veta Street between Flower
and Main. The same year, Henry D.
took charge of the rural mail route No. 2, running to the north
and the west of Orange, and in a short time was a welcome visitor to the
homes in that area. In
1903, he purchased five acres of orange trees from his father, who had
set out a promising grove and in 1906 built a neat home on the same
ranch land, providing for the service of the Santa Ana Valley Irrigation
Company; and later he bought five more acres, in walnuts, adjoining. He
joined the Santiago Orange Growers Association and also the Richland
Walnut Growers Association at Orange.
On
Mr. Witt is a member of the Evangelical Association of Santa Ana. and
belongs to the ranks of the Republicans. When it comes to helping along
worthy local projects, however, neither Mr. nor Mrs. Witt are limited by
partisanship, and they contribute heartily toward the best men and the
best measures.
ARTHUR L. TRICKEY.—An energetic rancher, whose ambition, industry, keen
powers of observation and ability to look ahead have made him a
successful operator of a part of the great Irvine ranch, is Arthur L.
Trickey, who resides on the Laguna Road about two and a half miles from
Irvine. He was born near Wichita. Sedgwick County, Kans., on
In 1904 our subject came to California and settled at Tustin; but it was
not until 1911 that he came to the Irvine ranch, where he is now
harvesting his ninth crop. He takes pride both in the product of his
labor and the soil he cultivates, and also in the trim appearance of his
farm; and thus, while developing and advancing, he gets all the fun that
he can out of what some people regard as only exhausting toil.
This disposition to look on the optimistic side of life is not surprising to those acquainted with the Trickey stock. His father was a native of the good old state of Maine, and in Kansas married Miss Addie Brownlee, who was born in Illinois, and who is still living- at Tustin, the center of a group of devoted friends, at the age of sixty years. Nine children were granted these worthy pioneers: Albert is a farmer in Peters Canyon on the Irvine ranch; Roy farms in Sedgwick County, Kans.; Willie is also a farmer in Kansas; John is the manager of Zaiser’s lease near Tustin; Arthur L. is the subject of this sketch; Ellis cultivates a part of the Whiting ranch; Addie is chief operator at the Tustin telephone exchange; and Myron works for his brother Arthur. The eighth-born, Walter, died in infancy.
In 1910, at Garden Grove, Mr. Trickey was married to Miss Bertha Jessup.
the accomplished daughter of “Thomas Jessup, the rancher and orange
grower living near Garden Grove; and two children—Lloyd and Thelma—have
blessed their fortunate union. Mr. Trickey belongs to the Modern Woodmen
at Santa Ana, and none is more popular among its many members.
THOMAS B. TALBERT.—An efficient and faithful public official, invaluable
to Orange County because of his integrity, foresight and high sense of
civic duty, whose identification with this part of the great
commonwealth of California is memorialized in the postoffice bearing his
family name, is Thomas B. Talbert, a native of Illinois, who was born at
Monticello, in Piatt County, on March S. 1878. His father was James T.
Talbert, a native of Greenville, Muhlenburg County, Ky., who
emigrated to Macoupin County, 111., in 1858. He enlisted as a volunteer
in the Civil War on
Next to the youngest
of a family of nine children, six of whom are living, Thomas B. Talbert
came out to California with his parents in February, 1891. He attended
the grammar schools, at Long Beach and also spent four years at the high
school at that place. Following this he engaged in dairying and farming
at Long Beach for three years, and then, in about 1898, he moved to the
lower Santa Ana Valley, and there bought land in what was known as
Gospel Swamp. After being there about one year, his father, brothers and
he started the townsite and postoffice now known as Talbert. and Thomas
B. Talbert was appointed the first postmaster. He bought a little
general merchandise store that had been started by John Corbett. and
built up a good business in this line, continuing there for about four
years, when he sold out.
Then he spent a year on a ranch at Talbert, and in 1904 moved to Pacific
City, now Huntington Beach, which had just been started, and where he
began selling real estate.
Mr. Talbert was among the very first to engage in growing sugar beets in
Orange County and was also a pioneer in the celery industry, growing
celery for several years, and was an active member of the Celery Growers
Association of Orange County. He is today the oldest realtor in
Huntington Beach and is considered one of the best judges of real estate
values here. He is interested in oil development and was one of the
promoters of the H. K. and T. Syndicate that are drilling for oil three
miles south of Irvine on the Irvine ranch. He was a promoter and is a
director in the West Whittier Oil Company, drilling at Huntington Beach
with most excellent prospects.
He is also extensively interested in oil lands and leases here.
For the past seven years he has had the agency of Ford cars and is now
one of the proprietors of the City Garage, located on Fifth Street,
Huntington Beach. The business is conducted under the firm name of
Talbert and Company, his partners being Messrs McDonald and Bergey, and
they have the agency for both the Ford and Dodge cars.
In August, 1909, a vacancy occurred on the board of supervisors
of Orange County caused by the resignation of George W. Moore; and to
that office Mr. Talbert was appointed by Governor Gillett to fill the
unexpired term. Since that time—such is the endorsement of his public
services given by the people themselves—Mr. Talbert has been elected to
the same office three times, once in the fall of 1910, again in 1914,
and finally in 1918; the last two times he was elected at the primaries.
He was also elected by his fellow supervisors to the chairmanship of the
board in January, 1911, and he has been elected to the same enviable
position every two years since. As an appreciation of his worth in other
departments of local activity, Mr. Talbert has been a director in the
First National Bank of Huntington Beach since the bank’s early history.
Mrs. Talbert was in maidenhood Miss Margaret Elizabeth Crum, a
daughter of Dwight M. Crum, and a member of a highly respected family
originally from Fairbury, 111. She is a graduate of the University of
California and was a teacher of languages at the Huntington Beach Union
high school up to the time of her marriage, the ceremony occurring at
Compton, July 17, 19 12.
They have been blessed by the birth of a son, Thomas Van. By his former
marriage Mr. Talbert has one child, Gordon B.
Talbert.
Mr. Talbert drove the team that cut the first drainage ditch in the Talbert Drainage district. This was the beginning of the improvement that drained the swamp lands of this district, which gave Orange County her rich peat lands and made possible the development of the beet and celery industry. As supervisor his great ambition has been to see this county become one of the greatest sections in the United States, and during his years as a realtor he has been instrumental in locating a sugar factory at Huntington Beach, and an oil-cloth factory, as well. He was a strong advocate and factor in obtaining the Coast Highway and in the voting of bonds for the beginning of the county’s harbor at Newport Bay, which will soon have admirable shipping facilities. Indeed, many of the improvements of the county have been carried out under Mr. Talbert’s supervision; these include the establishment of the County Farm Hospital and the Detention Home, and the building of bridges and many miles of good roads. It is easily apparent, therefore, how fortunate Orange County has been in the prolonged career and services of such a faithful and capable public servant.
ROY F. SPANGLER.—It is not often that one finds such- a combination of competency as in the case of Roy F. Spangler, a thoroughly trained electrician and engineer, an experienced and aggressively progressive farmer, and a far-seeing, wide-awake manager, at present in charge of the Wassum lima bean ranch, a part of the famous Irvine ranch, itself going back to the historic San Joaquin. He was born and reared in Santa Ana, and is the son of the late David Franklin Spangler, a native of Pennsylvania and a pioneer blacksmith whose highly-interesting old shop will be recalled by many as one of the landmarks of Santa Ana of thirty years ago. The shop still stands, in fact, on Sycamore Street, being run by our subject’s brother, George, and is probably the oldest, as it is today the leading smithy in Santa Ana.
Roy was born on
When a lad, Roy worked with his father in the blacksmith shop, and he was in the junior year of his course at the Santa Ana high school when his father passed away. It seemed advisable then that he should leave school; so he started to master electrical work. He wired houses, and put in five years for W. E. Houston on power, motor and other work. He was then engaged by the Edison Company for nine years, making fourteen in all as the period of his life devoted to electrical work. During this time, Mr. Spangler was married to Miss Jeanette Milstead, a native of Arkansas, reared in Oklahoma. When twenty-two years old, she came to California. Two children have blessed this union—Harold and Howard.
In February, 1920, Mr. Spangler came to the Wassum ranch as manager. He has charge of four hundred acres devoted to the growing of lima beans, and this land is under lease by Howard A. Wassum, a member of the Board of Supervisors of Orange County, and one of its largest farmers and bean growers. No better choice could be made, nor could Mr. Spangler wish for a more interesting task than to develop this part of the Irvine acreage, for he knows the value of land and how to appreciate forethought and fidelity, in its care.
C. BRUCE STOCKTON.—A tenant of the celebrated Irvine ranch who, having made a pronounced success in the important technical field of well drilling, is more than “making good” as a lima bean grower, is C. Bruce Stockton, a member of one of the historic families of California, and the husband of a lady highly esteemed for her progressive work, before her marriage, as an educator. He was born at Saticoy, in Ventura County, on December S, 1882, and grew up there where his father, George W. Stockton, was both a rancher and a landowner. His mother, popular as May Beekman in her maidenhood, was a native of Sierra County, Cal., and the daughter of a California pioneer. She is still living in Los Angeles, at the ripe age of sixty years. George W. Stockton was a native of Illinois, and his father was I. D. Stockton, a physician and surgeon who saw strenuous service in the Black Hawk War. Both father and grandfather crossed the plains in 1849 and as something more than pastime, fought the “pesky Redskins.” They settled in Sonoma County, and later moved to Kern County, and then built up the Stockton stock ranch fifteen miles south of Bakersfield, now called the Lakeside ranch of the Kern County Land Company’s holdings. George W. Stockton moved over to Ventura County, and there became a well-to-do rancher. He died in Los Angeles, at the age of fifty-nine years.
Five children were born to this worthy couple and grew to maturity. G. G. Stockton is an oil man well known in South America, and stationed near Caracas, in Venezuela:
C. Bruce Stockton is the
subject of our sketch; Irene has become the wife of Walter Cook, the
rancher on the Irvine; E. E. Stockton, the owner of the Lake ranch in
Ventura County, resides in Los Angeles and is in the hardware trade; and
Myrle is the wife of H. L. Carpenter of Los Angeles. Through the fact
that the father of L D. Stockton was closely related to Commodore Robert
Field Stockton, and hence to the
Commodore’s grandfather, Senator Richard Stockton, signer of the
Declaration of Independence,
C. Bruce Stockton is related
to a circle of Americans known for having, each one of them,
accomplished something worth while for the world, and something very
definite, and needed, for the advancement of their country. Bruce’s
early education was in the public schools in Ventura and later attended
the preparatory schools at Bakersfield, in the more quiet days before
anyone suspected that the broad meadows were soaking with oil, and when
the discovery and the ensuing excitement transformed that locality, he
went to work in the Kern River oil fields as a roustabout, became a tool
dresser and later a driller, and worked to develop, in particular, the
much-needed petroleum. Then he entered the oil fields of the Santa Fe at
Fellows and of the Southern Pacific at Maricopa; and after acquiring
seven years of valuable experience, he journeyed to Mexico. He drilled
at Tampico and Tuxpan, and when the United States Government landed
troops at Vera Cruz, came out of the country as a refugee on one of the
U. S. war ships to Galveston. Returning to Taft, he later went south to
the Island of Trinidad, off the coast of Venezuela, where he drilled for
a year and a half. Once
more he came to California, and for a year farmed on the Irvine ranch.
At Los Angeles, on
JUAN PABLO PERALTA.—A highly respected citizen is the old settler, Juan
Pablo Peralta, living on the Santa Ana Canyon -Road, four and a half
miles northeast of Olive, where he owns a small ranch. Although living
frugally—a modest abstinence apparently favorable to his health, judging
from his massive build—he is a proud old Californian, and with good
reason, for he is a worthy descendant of early Spanish military officers
from Catalonia, Spain, who came out to take charge of the port of San
Francisco in the Yerba Buena days. He and his family, therefore, are
well-known and respected.
Juan Pablo Peralta is the son of Juan Pablo Peralta, who was born near
what is now Buena Park. He married in Los Angeles, Neavis Lopez, a
native of that city, and died on
Juan P. Peralta now owns a ranch of eight acres, which he bought
fourteen years ago. In November, 1918, he built a bungalow, which
affords him and his family a very good and up-to-date home. In 1887 he
was married to Miss Betsida Yorba, born at Prado, Riverside County, the
daughter of Rimondo and Concepcion (Serrano) Yorba, who was also a
granddaughter of Bernardo Yorba. and’ they had six children—Juan Pablo.
Jr., Neavis, Ramon, Florisa, Ellena and Constance. For several years he
had a general store at Peralta; now he grows walnuts and apricots.
He also leases over 500 acres of land and engages in raising
grain and hay, in which he is very successful.
A
Democrat in matters of national political moment, Mr. Peralta is
nonpartisan in his enthusiastic support of whatever makes for a greater
development of his home district. He has served as a trustee of the
Peralta school district, has been road overseer for some time, and has
done jury duty at various times. Orange County is happy to note the
prosperity of those who so well represent the historic past of the
state.
WILLIAM LEMKE.—One of the very enterprising men among the prominent and
successful citizens of Orange County who has contributed his share in
the upbuilding and development of the citrus and walnut industries of
the county is William Lemke, the owner of a twenty-acre ranch, devoted
to oranges, walnuts and deciduous fruits, located three miles north of
Olive, on the Santa Ana Canyon Boulevard.
Mr. Lemke was born at Liptno, in Russia Poland,
In 1906 Mr. Lemke was united in marriage with Miss Emma Schmidt, also a
native of Russia Poland, who came to Anaheim in 1903. Her father, Adolph
Schmidt, died in’ Russia and her mother, Christena (Biske) Schmidt, came
to California in 1914, where she makes her home with her daughters. Mr.
and Mrs. Lemke are the parents of three children: Lydia, Elsie and
Adolph William F. In religious matters Mr. Lemke is a member of the
German Lutheran Church at Olive, while his wife belongs to the German
Baptist Church at Anaheim.
William Lemke is a patriotic American citizen, proud to be known as a
self-made man who has gained financial success by his own unaided
efforts and by his industry and the practice of economy.
GEORGE M. HARTLEY.—A well-informed, level-headed young man, who has a
splendid ranch of Valencia orange trees in a high state of cultivation
near one of the tasteful bungalow homes of the locality, and who,
through his business specialty, is contributing toward the preservation
of other ranch properties and, therefore, doing a commendable public
service, is George M. Bartley, the deputy constable and sprayer, and
popular son of a highly-esteemed pioneer. He was born at Lompoc, in
Santa Barbara County, on
He was only one year old when he was brought to El Modena by his
parents, and he is therefore the citizen who has lived there longest
continuously. He was brought up at El Modena on his father’s ranch, and
attended the local grammar school while he made himself useful on a
forty-acre ranch. His father was a vineyardist. and in common with
others suffered heavy losses when the mysterious blight killed the
grapevines said to have been of the finest quality. George was always
handy around horses, and being* a good teamster, drove a tank wagon for
the Union Oil Company in Los Angeles for five years.
Then he went to Corcoran, in Kern County, and there bought a farm and
engaged in ranching from 1907 until 1909. In that year, he was married
at Bakersfield to Miss Frankie S. Rudolph of Lompoc, the same town,
by-the-way. in which Mr. Bartley was born; and after that he and his
bride came back to El Modena, reaching home just before his father died.
Since 1909, Mr. Bartley has put in his time at El Modena, in 1916
becoming a licensed sprayer and branching off into the business of
spraying trees. He bought a bean spraying outfit with a two-hundred
gallon tank, and is doing his full share of
the work in both the Villa Park and the El Modena districts. He
belongs to the Orange Growers Association at McPherson, and is active in
promoting in every way the interests of all the community, including the
further appreciation of land. He is also a member of the El Modena Farm
Center. Mr. Hartley’s father paid sixty-five dollars an acre for his
land, and our subject has refused $5,000 an acre.
A Republican in matters of national politics, Mr. Bartley served
for three years as deputy sheriff under Sheriff C. E. Ruddock, and for
four years as deputy constable under Logan Jackson; and he is at present
deputy constable under William A. Holt, of Orange. He is also a member
of the election board.
Mr. and Mrs. Bartley have had two children: Dorothy E. is in the grammar
school at El Modena; but Glennagene died when fourteen months old. The
family live in a comfortable bungalow recently built by Mr. Bartley
himself at El Modena, opposite the El Modena grammar school. Mr. Bartley
belongs to the Woodmen of the World.
JOSHUA BARKER.—An intelligent, industrious and ambitious worker, who is
valued by all who know him as an honest, reliable citizen and a good
fellow, is Joshua Barker, the rancher near Irvine Station, whose able
and faithful wife is also just the helpmate needed. He works for Henry
J. Harkleroad as foreman on his fine ranch of 160 acres to the southeast
of Irvine, and no more competent overseer probably could be found.
A
native son happy in his association with the Golden State, Mr. Barker
was born at Tulare on
His schooling was very limited, for from boyhood he had to do plenty of
hard work at farming. He began hiring out for low wages when a lad, and
continued to work by the month until he was thirty-five, when he
succeeded in renting land in Ventura County. He planted blackeye beans,
and enjoyed, as never before, the harvest, for what he reaped was
entirely his own. Later, he came down to the San Joaquin ranch in Orange
County; and since then he has moved back and forth between here and
Ventura County, sought by many both for his services and his experience
and advice, and contributing something definite, in his own hard work
for the higher cultivation of land, toward the development of California
agriculture. At Santa Ana,
Mr. Barker was married to Miss Martha Horton, a native of Ventura and
they have had six children: Walter, who married Miss Maude Boyd of Santa
Ana, is foreman on a ranch at San Luis Rey; Roy, the husband of Miss
Lottie Steward of Ventura, is farming near Orange County Park, the proud
father of two children.
Hazel and Donald; Alice married Charles Van Horn, a truck driver on road
work for Orange County, she has one boy, Glenn, and resides at Santa
Ana; Freddie is employed at ranching at Talbert, and is the husband of
Miss Maude Albertson of that town, by whom he has had two children,
Lloyd and Llodine; Elsie is the wife of Victor , Vann, a ranch employee
at- El Centro; and Jim is in the U. S. Navy. It will thus be seen that
not only have Mr. and Mrs. Barker done well themselves, but they have
reared a family, each member of which has gone forth into the world and
become a credit to the good Barker name.
JOHN H. STINSON.—The well-known rancher, citrus grower and dairy farmer,
John H. Stinson of Taft Avenue, Orange, Cal., has attained a gratifying
degree of success in the vocation he has chosen. He is a native of Hall
County, Nebr., where he was born at Doniphan,
John H. is the eleventh child in a family of fourteen children, six of
whom are living. He received his education in the grammar school at
Orange, and worked on his father’s forty-acre ranch. At the age of
nineteen he assumed the responsibilities of life and purchased fifteen
acres on Vista Street, Orange, for $1,200. He was married in Orange,
Mr. Stinson is a type of citizen of whom Orange County may well be proud
and has been most helpful to the permanent welfare of that section. He
is active, intelligent and interesting, with a strong appreciation of
humor, which is perhaps a heritage from his Hibernian ancestry. Mrs.
Stinson is a woman of pleasing personality, cultured and refined, with
most excellent qualities of heart and mind. She is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church at Orange and is active in church work, the
Ladies’ Aid Society and the Home Mission Society, and both are popular
among their large circle of acquaintances.
CLYDE R. ALLING.—The interesting career of a hustling young business man
of Santa Ana affords another illustration of not only the unrivalled
opportunities-presented for advancement and success in California, and
especially in Orange County, but the elastic capability of the typical
American in rising to the occasion when Opportunity opens the door. This
wide-awake young man is Clyde R. Ailing, proprietor of the “Cherry
Blossom” bakery, confectionery store and cafe in Santa Ana, which is
pleasantly and conveniently situated at 120 East Fourth Street.
He was born in the city of Chicago on
In 1912, heeding Horace Greeley’s advice, “Go West, and grow up with the
country,” Mr. Ailing came to Santa Ana. Cal., and for a year he worked
at the soda fountain in the Dragon store. Two years later, in January,
he made sacrifices to buy L. J. Christopher’s confectionery store in
Anaheim, now the “Cherry Blossom” and the success of that popular resort
today shows whether or not his judgment was good.
Sighing for more worlds to conquer—as a local scribe once said of
him in an appreciative write-up—Mr. Ailing, on
The basement is used for chocolate dipping and a stock room, and on the
first floor there is the soda fountain, the restaurant and the ice cream
parlor. The second floor is devoted to the manufacture of candies and
other confections, for Mr. Ailing manufactures almost everything that he
sells. There is an ice house in the rear, where the choicest of ice
cream is made, not only for patrons in town, but for such near-by
resorts as Laguna Beach, Newport and Balboa, and also for Orange and
other towns. Boasting the
finest dining room in the city, it is not surprising that the cash
register should show an annual patronage of a couple of hundred thousand
satisfied customers.
A
likeable man, an honorable competitor and, most of all, an untiring
worker, Clyde Ailing long ago rose to the point where he was a great
factor in the development of wholesale and retail trade in Orange
County. With only twenty-eight years behind him, it is also not
surprising that he should feel a great future ahead. Of genial
disposition, with always a word of cheer, no matter what the weather
happens to be, he draws customers as a honey-pot draws flies. His
handshake is one you feel. His words are words you remember. And most of
all he is busy, for long hours are required to run “Cherry Blossoms.”
and he is always on the job. This strenuosity, however, in business
hours does not prevent him from snatching a few moments, now and then,
to enjoy the company of his fellow Masons and Elks.
JOHN GREEN BAKER.—A successful farmer and bean grower who had the
advantage of a wide and valuable experience in other pursuits and
elsewhere before he came to the Irvine ranch, is John Green Baker, who
lives one mile and a half northeast of Irvine. He was born in Madison
County, Tenn., on
John G. Baker started out for himself in Texas as an employe on a Donley
County cattle ranch, then teamed and rode range in New Mexico and mined
at Bisbee, Ariz.; and on coming to California he followed the carpenter
trade in Los Angeles until 1915, when he came to Santa Ana and engaged
in ranching. He now operates 160 acres on the Irvine ranch, which he has
planted to lima beans, and he is among those who get satisfactory
results whenever the conditions of climate make it possible to succeed.
When Mr. Baker was married in Los Angeles in 1912, he took for
his wife Mrs. Inez Asbell,
nee White, a native of Ohio; and together they have worked hard to solve
the problems peculiar to California agriculture, and they are gradually
attaining more and more of an enviable position. A consistent Democrat,
but a broad-minded American, always desirous of pulling with his
neighbors for whatever is best for the locality irrespective of party
considerations, Mr. Baker has been serving as a popular member of the
election board in the San Joaquin voting precinct.
CHARLES E. BEST.—An experienced rancher who has entrusted to his
judgment and fidelity an important interest of the Irvine Ranch is
Charles E. Best, in charge of the hog ranch on the old San Joaquin. He
was born in San Benito, on
He farmed at New Hope for seven years, and then he went to what is now
Beaumont in Riverside County, then San Gorgonio. San Bernardino County,
where he operated on a still larger scale in farming for fifteen years.
When he quit farming, he moved to Redlands and lived there for fourteen
years, running a grocery, and a feed and fuel business. He returned to
Santa Ana in 1914; and there, three years later, his devoted wife died,
aged seventy-one years.
Nine children were born to this worthy couple: William Henry is of the
real estate firm. Best, DeBoyce and Covington in Brawley, Cal.; Frank S.
is retired and lives in Pasadena; Fred N. is a carpenter and builder at
Lamona, in Iowa; Charles Everett is the subject of our review; Arthur L.
died when he was fourteen years old; Maude is the wife of G. M. Austin,
an Imperial Valley rancher; Pearla is now Mrs. W. A. Hively and resides
at Turlock. Stanislaus County; Luella has become Mrs. H. H. Moore and
resides at Colton; Joseph died when he was two years old.
Charles was sent to the grammar school, and grew up with the usual
limited, yet positive advantages of a boy in the country. On
E. S. MORALES.—A
self-educated ranchman, proud of his descent from one of the old,
distinguished families of Spanish history and tradition, who has come to
the front by sheer force of his own ability and worth, is E. S. Morales,
popularly known as Captain Morales, residing on the Hot Springs road
some five miles northeast of San Juan Capistrano. He is a tenant farmer
on a part of the great Santa Margarita rancho, the oldest grant at San
Juan Capistrano. He was born at Los Angeles on
When Captain Morales decided to share his domestic life with another, he
married Miss Morina Garcia, a popular belle of San Juan Capistrano, and
also a member of one of the early Spanish families. She has proved an
excellent helpmate, making him a good home, while he attends to his many
responsibilities. All in all. he is a very unusual man, and it is not
surprising that he is honored with the title of captain.
For years, he has been one of the most trusted of the many
employes on the great Santa Margarita ranch, in which principality he is
employed at various tasks. He can drive two, four, eight, sixteen,
thirty-two or even sixty-four horses, and he is both a blacksmith and a
machinist of no mean ability. His generous and whole-hearted disposition
has earned for him the good will of all those associated with, or under
him. During the present
season, he is engaged in harvesting a “bumper” crop of the celebrated
“Defiance” wheat on his leasehold of 190 acres; and it will run forty
bushels to the acre, worth five dollars per hundred weight—one of the
best crops, very likely, in Orange County. He has a twenty-inch cylinder
Case thresher, and other thoroughly up-to-date appliances, and is often
able to point the way to others in modern agricultural methods.
WILLIAM D. PETERKIN.—.\ busy man of affairs, whose popularity has been
founded in part on his expertness in the field in which he is a leader,
and partly on his genial and sympathetic temperament, is William D.
Peterkin, the assistant manager of the Orange County Fumigation Company,
whose office is at 349 South Lemon Street, Orange. He was born in the
city of Montreal, Canada, on
Some idea of the
extent of the Orange County Fumigating Company’s business may be formed
from the fact that they make use of 1,000 tents, and send out fifteen or
more outfits, detailing six men to each outfit, and operating with the
Fruit Growers Exchange of Orange County. They follow the last word of
science, profiting from the experiments with liquid hydrocyanic acid
which was first used largely in experimental tests in 1916. and on an
extensive commercial basis the following year for the fumigation
of citrus trees in California. This acid has been known to chemists for
many years, but probably because of its instability and its very
poisonous nature, it has not been manufactured on a large scale. It is a
colorless liquid, less than three-fourths the weight of water, and is
also very volatile, and boils at less than eighty degrees Fahrenheit.
For these reasons, hydrocyanic acid gas is rapidly given oflf
from the surface of the liquid, and there is danger in breathing in an
atmosphere close to an open container. This danger is increased when the
liquid is sprayed or spattered. Gas from this acid will injure the fruit
and foliage if used in excess, in much the same way as the gas generated
by other methods; hence it is highly important that such work of
fumigating should be given to a thoroughly reliable concern like the one
of which we are writing.
The killing efficiency of the liquid hydrocyanic acid as compared with
pot and machine generation, or other methods of fumigation was
determined, first by comparative tests in a funiatorium; second, by
comparative tests under form trees; third, by comparative tests in the
field; and fourth, by examination of commercial work in the field, and
it is no wonder that this new means of citrus fumigation has come into
such favor that the Orange County Fumigation Company has all that it can
do. The place, with this new method, where the greatest concentration of
gas occurs under the tent from the liquid is practically the reverse of
that from the pot, or portable generator; with the former method, the
most effective killing is at the bottom of the tree, while with the
latter the most effective killing is at the top.
The Orange County Fumigating Company is a growing enterprise, having
been duly incorporated for a very necessary work. Its officers are:
president, L. W. Evans; vice-president, J. A. Maag; secretary and
manager, J. A. King; treasurer, E. W. Bolinger.
Directors: L. W’. Evans, El Modena; J. A. Maag, Orange; L. A.
Bortz, Olive;
J. F. Allen, Orange; A. G. Finley, Santa Ana; and Ed. H. Dierker,
Orange. Mr. Peterkin is a
member of the Odd Fellows at Orange, and also of the Modern Woodmen and
the Elks at Santa Ana. He was married at Santa Barbara to Miss Rebecca
Jordan, a native of Missouri; and their fortunate union has been
rendered the happier by the birth of one child, Thelma.
WILLIAM F. DIERS.—Santa Ana owes much of her commercial prosperity to
such far-sighted, optimistic men of grit and experience as William F.
Diers, for the past six years mana.ger of the Wm. F. Lutz Company, Inc.
He is a native son, and was born in Kern County, on
He married Miss Mattie Baker, by
whom he had four children, and she passed away some thirty years ago.
William was the third child in the interesting family, and. enjoyed the
educational advantages of both the grammar and the high schools. He came
with his folks to Santa Ana in 1890, and grew up not only to prepare
himself for an earnest tussle with the world, but to enjoy sport as
well, particularly horseback riding. He belongs to the Orange County
Country Club.
In 1900 he entered the service of the Wm. F. Lutz Company, Inc., and
step by step rose to his present position of responsibility and trust.
In 1913 he was made manager of the firm, and much of its recent success
must be credited to his experience and fidelity. A stanch member of the
Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Diers is also an active worker in the
Merchants and Manufacturers Association. Mr. Diers is a Republican in
national political affairs and has served for three years in the
National Guard of California. He belongs to Santa Ana Lodge No. 794, B.
P. O. Elks, and was honored there as exalted ruler in 1919. In the World
War period, he was most active on all the drives for war work purposes,
and in many respects has set an inspiring example of plain, loyal and
worth-while citizenship. On
ROBERT G. TUTHILL.—Could a history of the recent development, along
sanitary and strictly edifying lines, of undertaking in California be
written, and proper credit given those individuals who have not only
“done things,” but have pointed the way to others wishing also to do and
willing to follow, then one of the leading firms of Santa Ana—Messrs.
Smith and Tuthill—would necessarily be mentioned in the front rank, and
another star be added to the long list for which ‘the town has striven
and fought these many years. Both Robert G. Tuthill and his partner,
George S. Smith, have endeavored, ever since creating their present
establishment, to advance the status of undertaking whenever and
wherever possible; and how far they have succeeded in their ideals those
most familiar with their actual accomplishments can tell.
Born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, in May, 1878, Robert was the son of George
Tuthill, a business man born in New York, who had married Miss Mary
Skillen. The parents moved from Iowa to Kansas when the child was three
months old. and then they went on to Portland, Ore., where they are both
living. Thej^ had three children, and Robert was the second in the order
of birth.
He attended the grammar and high schools of Kansas, and also a business
college, and as a young man followed the undertaking business, first, in
1899, at San Francisco and after two years again in Kansas. Three years
later, he was back in Los Angeles; and there he continued in undertaking
for seven years.
On
On
ARCHIE VERNON FEWELL.—The distinction of being a native Californian
belongs to Archie Vernon Fewell, of the firm of Wine and Fewell, cement
pipe manufacturers and irrigation contractors, and he has spent
practically all his life in Orange County, his birthplace. Mr. Fewell
was born at Santa Ana on
Mr. Fewell’s marriage which occurred at Santa Ana,
FREDERICK P. YANDEAU.—The ranch of twenty acres on Western Avenue, owned
by Frederick P. Yandeau, is one of the show places of the vicinity, with
its well-cared for, up-to-date appearance. The Valencia orange trees,
now in their sixth year of growth, had just been set out when Mr.
Yandeau purchased the place. At that time the irrigation facilities were
limited, but the property is now piped and valved to a complete degree,
and its appearance testifies to the care bestowed upon it.
Mr. Yandeau was born in Essex Junction, Vt., on April 11. 1872,
the son of John and Tillie Yandeau, also natives of the Green Mountain
State, whose children numbered eight, six of whom are living, and two of
whom migrated to California.
Frederick P. was reared and educated in his native state and had the
benefit of a high school education. He afterward followed the occupation
of a telegrapher for a number of years, and in 1897, when twenty-five
years of age, came to California. A year later,
in 1898, he entered the U. S. service as a member of the signal corps,
and served in this capacity until 1900. At the outbreak of the Boxer
Rebellion in China, he again entered active service, serving one year in
China. He returned at the close of that time to the Philippine Islands,
which he left for the scene of war. In 1904 he was appointed district
telegraph officer in the Philippine constabulary, ranking as first
lieutenant. After a period of two years he was appointed postotfice
inspector, and retained the office four years. Ill health caused him to
retire from the service and return to California, where he located in
San Diego County to recuperate his failing health in the balmy climate
of the Southland.
His marriage in 1908 united him with Miss Lena M. Holliday. His interest
is ever to build up and add to the commercial influence and prosperity
of the community in which his lot in life is cast, and among whose
citizens he is highly esteemed as a worthy member. He is active in the
membership of the Anaheim Cooperative Orange Growers Association.
P. H. NORTON.—A conservatively careful, yet progressive ranchman whose
agricultural methods are the true keys to his phenomenal success, is P.
H. Norton, of 301 Edgewood Road, Santa Ana. He was born on
On
When he sold out. finally, he came to Santa Ana, and in 1911 purchased a
tract of about six and one-half acres on Edgewood Avenue, two acres of
which were in walnuts and three in Valencia's. In 1918 he added a
purchase of six acres of walnuts, and as all was under the service of
the Santa Ana Valley Irrigation Company, he easily had one of the most
desirable properties in the county. From 1916 to 1917, Mr.
Norton also owned a four-acre grove of young Valencia's on East
Palmyra Street. He is a
member of the Santa Ana Valley Walnut Growers Association and also of
the Santiago Orange Growers Association.
Four boys make up the family of Mr. and Mrs. Norton: Arnold P. is a
student at the Santa Ana high school: and Francis W.. George Stanley and
Miles A. Norton are in the grammar school. Mr. Norton is a member of the
First Baptist Church at Santa Ana, and is also a Mason. Mrs, Norton, who
long studied music under the best masters available, gives much pleasure
to her family and friends with her proficiency on the piano.
ORAL V. DART.—A man who will long and pleasantly be remembered for his
substantial work in both building up and upbuilding Santa Ana and Orange
County is Oral \’. Dart, the carpenter and contract house mover, who was
born in Rexford, Thomas County, Kans., on
In 1908 he came to California and worked on the Valencia ranch near San
Juan Capistrano, for the following two years, when he returned to Kansas
for a short time, in the winter of 1911, owing to the death of his
beloved mother. Then he came West again, this time to Seattle, and there
he was employed by Albers Bros, in their flour mill. Once more he
returned to Kansas and farmed.
In 1912 he came to California and for some time limited himself to
ordinary carpentering. Realizing the need, however, of an expert mover
of houses, he entered that field, and found no difficulty in
demonstrating that he was the man for the occasion and the community.
Since then he has been busy enough contracting for that kind of work, in
some instances undertaking what others would not care, under the
difficult conditions, to attempt.
At Santa Ana, on
June 14, 19 17,
Mr. Dart was married to Miss Helen Teel, a daughter of F. H. and Mary
Teel,. of that same city. There Mrs. Dart was born. reared and educated.
One boy, a promising lad named Alvin Lowell, born on July 9,
1918, has blessed this fortunate union. Mrs. Dart is a member of the
Nazarene Church of Santa Ana, and Mr. Dart belongs to the Free Methodist
Church.
He has just traded
his handsome home at 1322 West Fifth Street for a grove of eleven acres
lying between Santa Ana and Orange, and as nine acres are already in
walnuts, the cosy ranch bids fair to be of real value in the near
future.
Orange County is
fortunate in having such public-spirited men as Mr. Dart, who for years
stuck by the Prohibition party, and now that their goal has been
reached, believes in working for the highest citizenship regardless of
party lines.
JEROME V. SCHULZ.—A sincere, peace-loving citizen, fond of his home and
.solicitous for the welfare of children, and interested in the political
problems of the day, is Jerome V. Schulz, the successful Williams Canyon
rancher. His parents were John C. and Mary Ann Schulz, and he was born
in Waterloo County, Iowa, on
On
Directly after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Schulz moved to their
present ranch in Williams Canyon, which Mr. Schulz had purchased in
1902, and where they and their family have lived ever since. There are
160 acres in the ranch, eight of which he has planted to budded walnuts,
twenty-one are under cultivation in- small grain and corn for domestic
use, and two acres are given to prunes and apricots. Sycamore and
eucalyptus trees grow in abundance on the place. This land was
originally the Williams Ranch, and belonged to the man after whom the
canyon was named. When
Williams purchased the ranch he bought it for a sixty-pound can of
honey; he had for the most part goats as stock, and mountain lions would
come down and steal them. Now the Schulz children go over a mountain
trail one and a half miles long, on their way to school, and they used
to frequently call to their father to come and kill the rattlesnakes
they found. Of late, they have killed many of the reptiles themselves.
This particular place on the ridge they have named Rattlesnake Peak.
Five children—four girls and a boy—have blessed the happy union
of Mr. and Mrs. Schulz. Evelyn Dorothy is the oldest; then comes Vernon
Everett, and after that Alice May, Florence Louise and Frances Isabel,
all of whom attend the Silverado grammar school. Mr. and Mrs. Schultz
are Democrats, but also were stand-patters for Hoover. Mrs. Schulz, who
is serving her second term as trustee and clerk of the Silverado School
district, is a woman of much native ability and business acumen, who is
of much assistance to her husband, and both are taking an active part in
helping the movements that have for their aim the building up of the
county and community.
WILLIAM B. ALEXANDER.—The history of the family of Mr. and Mrs. William
B. Alexander is associated in a very interesting manner with the
stirring events in three great commonwealths—California, Tennessee and
Colorado—Mrs. Alexander’s father having been among those who repeatedly
braved and suffered much to help found the Pacific State, and Mr.
Alexander having held public office when such was anything but a
sinecure. He was born in Lebanon, Tenn., about thirty miles east of
Nashville, on
When nineteen, in 1877, he left home? to go to Colorado, and in Durango,
La Plata County, he settled for a while and was employed by the San Juan
Smelter and Refining Company. Supplies were at that time very scarce and
dear; so much so that when he went on tours of investigation in the
Rockies, he had to pay as high as sixty-five dollars a ton for his hay
for the horses.
Durango was four miles from the Navajo Indian Reservation, where the
Utahs, the Navajos and the Pueblos lived; and the Indians would steal
the whites’ horses, and the whites, in turn, would steal the redskins’
cattle. Then uprisings occurred, and the whites would be compelled to
drive the Indians back into their own territory.
Notwithstanding the privations and the responsibility. Mr. .Alexander
remained foreman of the smelter company for twelve full years. After
that he went into the cattle business, and often bought and sold as many
as 1,000 head at a time. And he continued buying and selling cattle for
about eight years, when he sold out and came West to San Diego, Cal.,
where he engaged in wholesaling and retailing.
When he came to Orange County, he purchased ten acres west of Santa Ana,
which he devoted with success to beets and beans; and he also bought and
sold property in Santa Ana. He owned good lots on Baker and Parton
streets; and being satisfied with the future outlook of the town, in
1917 he bought a home on West Fifth Street, and also established his
vulcanizing works. The patronage accorded by the public from the start
of this enterprise speaks for itself.
In February, 1878, Mr. Alexander was married to Miss Ina L. Pennington,
a native of Wilson County, Kans., and the daughter of J. T. and Sarah
Pennington, early settlers in Wilson County, who came to Durango, Colo.,
in 1872. One son has blessed the union—Thomas D., who works in Santa
Ana. Mrs. Alexander was educated at the Durango high school, and later
taught in the vicinity of her home until she was married. Her father
made three trips in “prairie schooners” across the plains, coming to
California for the first time in 1849, during the famous gold rush. The
family attend the Methodist Church.
In Tennessee, before going to Colorado, Mr. Alexander was a deputy
sheriff for a couple of years; and in Durango he was on the town board
for two years. In national politics he is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is
a member of the Odd Fellows, of the Woodmen, and of the Elks; and there
is no one who enjoys greater popularity, or carries his honors more
modestly.
S. E. TINGLEY.—Among the decidedly progressive men of Orange County,
itself one of the most progressive sections of the great California
commonwealth, should be mentioned S. E. Tingley, a prominent resident of
Tustin, who in 1910 established the Tustin Lumber Company, now playing
such an important part in the development of the district. They do a
general lumber and mill business, and handle all kinds of builders’
material, cement, roofing and wall board; and by anticipating the wants,
rather than merely catering to the needs of the community, render the
town and environs a great service. A large force of men are employed on
the two acres of the company, and it is not surprising that their
business last year amounted to forty thousand dollars.
Mr. Tingley is a native of Trenton, Mo., and was born in the notable
year of 1876, when the nation was celebrating its first century of
existence and prosperity.
His father was Joseph F. Tingley, a native of Ohio, who married Miss
Eliza Roberts, a native of Virginia. Of their five living children, S.
E. is next to the youngest and was two years of age when the family
removed to Wamego, Pottawatomie County, . Kans., remaining there until
1887, when they came to the Pacific Coast, locating at National City,
San Diego County, Cal., and here he completed the public schools.
In 1896 Mr. Tingley was married at National City to Miss Sarah J.
Cox, daughter of William and Isabel Cox, natives of England, and they
have one daughter, Margaret O. Tingley. In 1902 he moved to Santa Ana,
and here, in Orange County, he has been actively engaged in the lumber
business ever since. Previous to his establishing the Tustin Lumber
Company, Mr. Tingley was in the employ of the Pendleton Lumber Company
at Santa Ana.
As a wide-awake citizen who has not only provided a place for himself,
but has contributed toward the advancement of both the county and the
state, Mr. Tingley is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Tustin, and
never fails to support a movement for the progress of the town. He is
also both a member and a trustee of the Presbyterian Church. In Masonic
circles he is especially popular, but he counts his friends in all
circles of society, and in various communities.
WERNER R. DROSS.—To the young men. both of the past and present
generation, California had proved a land of opportunity, and success is
within the reach of all who possess energy, business ability and a
determination to succeed. Such has been the experience of Werner R.
Dross, the efficient warehouseman of the San Joaquin Warehouse Company,
a position he has held for the past ten years. This is the largest lima
bean warehouse on the Pacific Coast, and consists of two large
buildings, one 450 by 40 feet and the other 500 by 40 feet. Seventeen
cars of beans can be loaded at one time. There are two bean cleaners in
each warehouse and only the most up-to-date methods and the best
machinery are used, none but white labor being employed to hand pick and
clean the beans. The product is put up in 100-pound sacks, ready for the
consumer.
A
native of Germany, Werner R. Dross was born at Elbing on
Mr. Dross grew up at Elbing and received an excellent education there,
attending the high and polytechnic schools, where he studied
bookkeeping, higher mathematics, Latin and French. At the age of
nineteen he became a sailor before the mast, shipping to Singapore,
thence to Buenos Aires, South America, and from there to Honolulu, and
back to San Francisco. When he reached the latter port in March, 1900,
he was so agreeably impressed with the country that he resolved to
locate in California. Shortly after landing, however, he heard of the
great mining prospects in Lima, Peru, and made his way there with a
friend. He was soon engaged by the Prussian government as a draftsman, a
position for which he was well qualified by his polytechnic school
training in his native land. He soon decided, however, that Peru was too
warm a climate for a place of residence, so returned to California, and
he has since made his home in the state of his choice. His first
position was with George W. Kneass, the proprietor of a boat building
and furniture manufacturing establishment in San Francisco, and there he
remained for two years, working as a mill hand. He then went to work for
the S. P. Milling Company in 1904, holding positions with that company
at Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Kings City, San Ardo and Camarillo. In 1911 he
came from the latter place to Irvine, taking the position of
warehouseman with the San Joaquin Warehouse Company, and he has
continued with that concern ever since, making a splendid success of his
responsible position.
A
man’ of excellent business judgment and executive ability, Mr. Dross
stands high in the community, and is popular in the circles of the Elks
and Odd Fellows, having been a member of the Santa Ana lodges of these
organizations for several years.
Having become a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1913,
in Santa Ana, Mr. Dross has
never regretted the circumstances that led him to make this land his
home, and the passing of the years has made him increasingly fond of
this particular section of his adopted country.
WALTER N. CONGDON.—The interesting and highly instructive history of
several representative pioneer families is recalled by the story of Mr.
and Mrs. Walter N. Congdon and their continued and increasing
prosperity. Mr. Congdon is the proprietor of the Congdon Motor Car
Company, whose motto, “We can fix your automobile any place, any time,”
has captured more and more patrons, and as an ignition expert managing
the Prest-O-Lite exchange, he has done much for Orange County motorists
in guaranteeing strictly first-class machine work. He was born at San
Juan Capistrano on August 16. 1878, the son of J. R. Congdon, so well
known to Californians, who had married Miss Mary A. Rouse, one of
another widely-connected family. He learned the plumbing trade at Santa
Ana, and worked for the Nickey Hardware Company, whose proprietor was
Frank P. Nickey, of Santa Ana.
On June 15, Mr. Congdon was married to Miss Allie M. Nickey, of
517 Bush Street, and the daughter of the aforesaid gentleman, once a
supervisor of Orange County. She was born in Iowa, but grew up in Santa
Ana, and here attended the high school, from which she was graduated in
time with honors. Two children blessed the union—Jack N. and Mildred
Allyne.
Having made his mark in Santa Ana, Mr. Congdon returned to San Juan
Capistrano, and in 1914 established, under the name of Congdon’s Garage,
the business now so agreeably associated with his daily activity, and
under the charge of Mrs. Congdon.
as well as himself, that accomplished lady acting as bookkeeper.
Mr. Congdon is ably assisted by his younger brother, Chester, who is
also a first-class mechanic and auto expert. They maintain a Ford
service station, and while doing vulcanizing, carry a full line of four
or five different kinds of tires. They sell gasoline, oil, greases and a
full line of auto supplies; and because of the completeness and quality
of their stock and their prompt way of doing things, it is safe to say
that they never lose a customer when once they get one. .And they always
have as many as they can conveniently care for, with their expert
service. of old, proven oil
land, and was given by L. F. Moirlton. On this land, some ten years ago,
a well was sunk 2,400 feet, striking oil, but the oil was not produced
in paying quantity. The lease extends in wide area from the Moulton
lines near El Toro, running southwesterly to the ocean.
A
derrick is to be put up and first-class oil drilling machinery will be
installed in Aliso Canyon. A well is then proposed for each thousand
acres, and if production warrants the increased investment, two wells
will be sunk for the same area. Mr. Lantz was a graduate of the Waterloo
high school, and so has the fortunate asset of a good education. He
belongs to the Elks.
Royce W. Lantz, another son of W. D. Lantz and a brother of our subject,
was born near Aurora, in Will County, ILL., on November 11. 1892, and
lived with his parents, coming west to California with them. He went to
the district school in Will County, and finished his studies in Santa
Ana, where he graduated from the high school. Since then he has engaged
with his father in Santa Ana realty, and at present is widely known as a
wide-awake, successful operator, making honesty the basis of all of his
business dealings.
On
ALFRED TRAPP.—Honest, industrious, and well-informed Americans,
reasonably contented with their environment and lot, and ambitious and
hopeful for the future, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Trapp belong to that
sterling class of “hard laborers” which is the wealth, the bulwark and
the pride of our country. He is a machinist, a blacksmith and a
carpenter, and an all-around mechanic as well, trained through long
experience as a section foreman on the Santa Fe Railway, a ranch foreman
and a builder, and is employed by the L. F. Moulton Company, who
undoubtedly appreciate his versatility.
He was born at Otto, in Fulton County, ILL., on
Four children were given to Mr. and Mrs. Trapp, and three they have been
allowed to retain, one having passed beyond. She was the second in the
order of birth, and was given the attractive names Frances Elizabeth.
The surviving children are the eldest, the third, and the youngest—John
M., Grace Myrtle and Harry Alfred.
Mr. Trapp who, by the way, has been a Socialist for the past
twenty years, is a student of economics, industrial relations and
politics, and in common with his good wife, who also has a humanitarian
disposition, is deeply interested in the industrial and other questions
of the day.
HARRY ARTHUR FROEHLICH.—Among the many freedom-loving citizens of the
German Empire who left their native land to escape the iron rule of
Bismarck was Joseph Froehlich, a friend and compatriot of Carl Schurz,
who came to American as soon as he had finished his required term of
service in the German army. He had received an excellent education in
the schools of his native country and had been taught the trade of a
piano maker there, but after coming to the United States he took up the
work of court reporting in the circuit court in Henderson County, 111.
Shortly after coming to this country Mr. Froehlich was united in
marriage with Miss Amelia Stuck, who was, like himself, born in Germany.
Four children were born to them:
William is a
blacksmith at Fillmore, Ventura County; Harry Arthur is the subject of
this sketch: Tillie resides at Pacific Beach: John is connected with the
technical department of one of the large moving picture concerns and
makes his home at Los Angeles. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Froehlich are both
deceased.
Harry Arthur Froehlich was born at Oquawaka, ILL.,
El Toro is the grain emporium of Orange County, and the greater part of
it is handled through the two great warehouses of the L. F. Moulton
Company, which have a capacity of 100,000 sacks. They are finely
equipped with the latest and most approved machinery for cleaning beans
and a roller mill for crushing barley.
On
ALBERT PRYOR.—A highly-intelligent and industrious representative of an
early pioneer family of Southern California, concerning whom it would
not be a mere commonplace to say that “his word is as good as his bond,”
is Albert Pryor, the San Juan Capistrano horticulturist, who owns over
forty of the choicest acres in the neighborhood, including eighteen in
well-set walnuts. He not only lives in the famous Mission town, but he
was born there, on
Nathaniel Pryor—sometimes referred to as Don Miguel N. Pryor—was the
grandfather of our subject, and came here, it is said, far back in 1828,
when he was thirty years of age, being, therefore, one of the earliest
Easterners to settle in California.
Fifteen or twenty years later, about the time that he was made a
Regidor or Councilman, he was one of perhaps ten Easterners who had
farms inside of the district of the Los Angeles pueblo and was one of
the oldest and most prominent citizens, well thought of and highly
respected by everyone. Part of his property was a vineyard, between the
river and what is now Los Angeles Street, and on it was an old adobe
which, according to Harris Newmark, the pioneer-historian, may still be
seen on Jackson Street, the only mud-brick structure in that section.
Nathaniel Pryor was twice married, having a son, Pablo by his first
wife, and a son, Nathaniel, Jr., by his second.
His first marriage was to Theressa Sepulveda of Los Angeles, who
died when her son Pablo was born, in about 1840, and is one of the few,
according to Newmark, with the mother of Pio Pico, buried inside of the
old Catholic church at the Plaza, Los Angeles. Pablo, or Paul, who was
born in Los Angeles, married Rosa Avila of San Juan Capistrano. Her
father, Don Juan Avila, was a large landowner and cattle grower.
Paul Pryor owned the old Don Miguel Pryor ranch in Los Angeles,
as well as a valuable estate in San Juan Capistrano, residing at the
latter place until his death in 1878, leaving a wife and six children,
Albert being next to the youngest. The widow survived until 1915.
Albert Pryor was with Joseph Mascarel in Los Angeles until his death,
and had charge of his estate. During that time, he witnessed many
stirring events, and saw the steady progress of the Southland, including
the building of the Santa Fe Railroad.
In 1894 he was married, in Los Angeles, to Miss Natalia Leonis, a
native of Los Angeles, in which city she was brought up, and they have
had two children—Albert T. and Paul. Seventeen years ago he bought a
residence at San Juan Capistrano, in order to remain there and afford
his children the best educational facilities. He owns a farm of
forty-three acres, advantageously situated at Serra, and this may some
day outrival his Capistrano holding.
For four years Mr. Eyraud worked for the Cudahy Packing Company at Los
Angeles as a sausage maker, and then he conducted a French
boarding-house under the name of the Cafe des Alpes, which he started in
1913.
Having bought the Capistrano Hot Springs on January- 1, 1919, he sold
his Los Angeles cafe on
He was born at Lincoln, Logan County, ILL., on
In 1897 Mr. Hutter
came to California for the first time and worked at his trade in various
parts of Northern California for about eight years. He then went into
Nevada, and from there to Colorado, and while in Denver was united in
marriage with an estimable lady. Soon after they went to Lincoln, ILL.,
but in two months’ time arrived back in California. Mrs. Hutter’s health
being delicate for two years, they
moved about seeking a suitable climate, but of no avail, and she passed
away in Pasadena in 1908, leaving a daughter. Zelnia, now eighteen years
old and living in Phoenix, Ariz. In Tucson, that state, in 1913. Mr.
Hutter married his second wife.
Miss Fredericka Korn, born and reared in Wisconsin until she was
ten years old, when she was taken to Connecticut. They have one
daughter, Dorothy Mae. That
same year, 1913, Mr. Hutter came to Southern California, and has lived
in Santa Ana ever since, preferring that and Orange County to all the
other wonder spots in the state. He bought his present place in
November, 1919. There are six acres in bis stock ranch on South McClay
Street, and he has a slaughterhouse there. He buys hogs and cattle, and
slaughters and sells to local dealers. He also buys and sells stockers
and feeders, and makes a specialty of cows and dairy cattle.
LINDLEY B. SKILES.—A rancher deeply interested in the development of
Orange County, whose modest estimate of the fruits of his years of hard,
intelligent and public-spirited work still permits him to believe that
he has had much to do with the building up of Santa Ana, especially as a
home place, is L. B. Skiles, the rancher of 2548 Santiago Street. He was
born on
In 1887, during the great “boom,” he came to California, and on
Christmas Eve arrived in Santa Ana. There he worked at the carpenter’s
trade for twenty years, and during that period of bustling activity,
erected many of the finest and most comfortable homes in Santa .\na. He
himself lived on Orange Avenue for a while, and then, in February. 1919.
he purchased a home on North Santiago Street, where he has half an acre
of walnuts showing a high state of culture.
Four children have been granted Mr. and Mrs. Skiles: Harry L. is a
rancher, living in Stockton; Roy is a plumber and resides at Santa Ana;
Clarence is a cement worker in the employ of Preble & McNeal, of Santa
Ana; and Maude, the wife of J. E. Prentice, lives at Azusa.
The standards of the Republican party have always appealed most to Mr.
Skiles; but he is too broad-minded and too patriotic to allow
partisanship to blind him to the desirability of common action in local
affairs, and so throws out. partisanship altogether.
As an orchardist he cares for four groves—one of twenty, the
other of twelve acres—of walnuts in the northeastern section of Santa
Ana, or the southwestern part of West Orange; five acres of lemons near
the county hospital and ten of oranges near Anaheim; and this keeps him
in vital touch with some of the most important of California industries,
to whose rapid, but permanent development, he is able to contribute in
no small degree.
HAROLD C. HEBARD.—An energetic, hard-working and prosperous young
poultryman, who not only thoroughly understands the many problems of his
field, but has mastered some concerning the marketing of walnuts and so
is also identified, in an interesting manner, with the walnut industry
of Southern California, is Harold C.
Hebard, a native of Topeka, Kans., where he was born on February
11. 1896. His father, Horace A. Hebard, was born in Iowa, but went to
Nebraska when he was about eighteen, and was widely known throughout
several Central States as an expert photographer. He had married Miss
Belle Cromwell, a daughter of Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Hebard removed to
Lincoln, Nebr., and there Harold attended the public school, after which
he took a business course at Union College, College View, in the same
state. On the evening of Harold’s graduation, with honors, from the high
school, that is, on
He commenced with a
capacity of six thousand eggs, and the following year raised it to nine
thousand, with which output he contented himself for a couple of years.
During the season of 1919-20, however, he enlarged the hatchery to a
capacity of twenty thousand. He has both Pioneer and Jubilee incubators,
and uses a heating system devised by himself. He erected a hatching
house, twenty-four by thirty-six
feet in size, out of hollow tile, and has a ceiling with an air space
made of building paper and sawdust packing, that serves to keep the
entire room evenly temperatured. For compactness, his incubators are
arranged two tiers deep. Although hatching is the main business
undertaken by Mr. Hebard—and to that he gives his entire attention from
January to August—he has four hundred head of the very choicest Rhode
Island Reds, Barred Plymouth Rocks and White Rocks. His hatchery is
located on the five-acre ranch of Fern S. Bishop. His five acres of
walnuts are under the service of the Santa Ana Valley Irrigation
Company.
Between August and January, Mr. Hebard is busy as manager of the Irvine
Walnut Association, which last year handled over nine hundred tons of
walnuts, which they eventually marketed through the California Walnut
Association. On
CHARLES R. FARRAR.—Well known in business and civic circles in Orange
County, Charles R. Farrar was born in La Crosse, Wis.,
Mr. Farrar’s marriage, which occurred in East Durham, N. Y., united him
with Minnie Gifford, a native of New York State, and three children have
blessed their union: Harry, married Marion Cober and they are the
parents of two sons; he is manager for the Southern Illinois Gas Company
at Murphrysboro, III.; Giflford, is assisting his father in business;
and Reba, wife of W. C. Cober, assistant postmaster of Placentia.
The family attend the Presbyterian Church.
Active in Masonic circles, Mr. Farrar was made a Mason in Lambert Lodge,
No. 659, A. F. & A. M., Quincy, 111., and demitting, is now a member of
Fullerton Lodge, No. 339, F. & A. M. He is also a member of Fullerton
Chapter, R. A. M., and a charter member of Fullerton Commandery. Knights
Templar, and of Quincy Consistory, S. R., as well as Al Malaikah Temple.
A. A. O. N. M. S., Los Angeles. For many years he has been and is a
member of the United Commercial Travelers and is an active member of the
Orange County Hardware Dealers Association. Mr. Farrar is liberal and
enterprising and has always shown his readiness to assist worthy
enterprises and movements for the betterment of conditions in the
community.
W. R. FREEMAN.—A modest, sincere and very public-spirited citizen,
albeit he is interested primarily in the problems of ranching, is W’. R.
Freeman, of 2527 Santiago Street, Santa Ana, where he has lived for the
past three or four years. He was born near Northfield, Dakota County,
Minn., on
W. R. Freeman was sent to the district schools in Minnesota, and lived
at home, helping his parents, until they removed from Dakota County in
1906 and came to California, whereupon he took over his father’s farm in
Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs.
William H. Freeman came to Santa Ana and purchased a ranch on North
Lincoln.
They are now both deceased.
At Waconia, Minn., on June 4. 1907, Mr. Freeman was married to Miss
Gussie Thorn, a daughter of Fred and Elizabeth Thom, natives of
Minnesota and farmers. Miss Thom was born at Waconia, in Carver County.
On
A
member of the First Methodist Church of Santa Ana and a Republican in
matters of national political moment, Mr. Freeman tries to do his duty
before God and man. He joined Company F of the Santa Ana National Guards
in 1918, and expected to have seen active service before the close of
the war.
J. WILLIAM SACKMAN.—A native son, who is very successfully developing
his choice ranch land, bringing it, by the most scientific methods, to a
high state of cultivation, is J. William Sackman, who was born at
Oakland on
J. William Sackman attended the schools at Santa Ana, and when only
fifteen years of age he started out to make his own way, learning the
butcher’s trade. At the age of twenty-one he began conducting the Bon
Ton Market at Fourth and Broadway, Santa Ana, but in 1905 he sold out
and engaged in the manufacture of brick. He established a brickyard at
Olive and Hickey streets, where he owned four acres, installed crude oil
burners to burn the brick, and machines for the manufacture of brick,
and developed the plant until it put out two millions of brick a year.
When he had made a success of the enterprise he sold it in August, 1919,
to Harvey Garber, but still retains the four acres of land on which the
brickyard is located. In
1916 Mr. Sackman purchased a ranch of nine and a half acres on North
Olive and Sixth streets, five acres of which he planted in walnuts and
four acres in Valencia oranges. It is improved with a two-story
residence, where he makes his home with his family.
On
EDWIN JULIAN.—.An oil man and a rancher long entrusted with
responsibility calling for hard, unremitting labor, is Edwin Julian, now
retired, who was born in Cornwall County, England, on
On
Seven children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Julian, and five are
still living. The eldest,
William Charles, is deceased; Edwin is living on the Topango Canyon
Ranch; John Henry is in Canada; Selena A., Mrs. L. A. Menges, is in
Indiana; Victor is a machinist in the Long Beach shipyards; Arthur is
deceased; and Fred is in Florida.
Mr. Julian is a Mason, and also belongs to the Canadian order of
Odd Fellows; Mrs. Julian belongs to the Church of Christ, Scientist.
CLYDE H. ELLIS.—An experienced rancher, who has the advantage of also
being an expert machinist and a good business man, is Clyde H. Ellis,
the son of a well-known pioneer in the Newport-Greenville-Talbert
sections of Orange County. He was born at Tazewell, Claiborne County,
Tenn., on
Clyde grew up here on his father’s various ranches, and at the same time
that he was learning how to make himself useful, and to prepare for a
tussle with the world, he attended the public schools. His ambition and
the desire of his parents for his higher welfare led him to attend the
Orange County Business College, where he completed a profitable
commercial course. Then he went to San Bernardino, where he accepted a
job as a mechanic’s helper, and at that he continued for three years. He
still was bent on improving his time, and he therefore took a course, in
his spare time, with the International Correspondence School, and was
declared a competent machinist.
Mr. Ellis next entered the employ of the famous Holt Manufacturing
Company, makers of caterpillar tractors, harvesters and threshing
machines, as service guide or mechanical expert, traveling and looking
after Holt machinery. For a time he made Phoenix, Ariz., his
headquarters, and was sent by his company to different parts of Arizona
and the Imperial Valley.
In the fall of 1917 Mr. Ellis came back to the Ellis farm, which he
rented and operated during that and the following years. It was then
that he formed his present association, in partnership, with his
brother, James N. Ellis, utilizing the farm owned by his mother. He also
put sixty acres into cabbage, barley, hay and beans. He made a
specialty, while growing cabbages, of the Winningstad variety, and
having started with only $500 in capital, cleared up a small fortune
inside of two years. The Ellis ranch has five flowing wells, with a fine
pumping plant, giving and handling an abundance of good water, and this
has proven a natural advantage, taken care of by a man thoroughly
familiar with mechanical problems, and a most valuable asset.
.\side from the Ellis ranch of 120 acres he also leases 525
acres, the Snow and Grover ranches, where he is raising barley, beets
and beans, and as is natural for a mechanic of his experience, he has
the most modern motive power machinery, using a Best sixty-horsepower
tracklayer and a Holt thirty-horsepower tracklayer.
At Santa Ana, in 1913, Mr. Ellis was married to Miss Sadie G.
Miller, a native of Keokuk County. Iowa. She was one of seven children,
and came to Los Angeles with her parents, Frank C. and Carrie J. Miller.
Two children have blessed the Ellis union; one bears the attractive name
of Naomi Fern, and the other is Jack N. Mrs.
Ellis has proven a valuable helpmate to her husband, and has
participated in all his activities for the betterment of the community.
R. EARL ELLIOTT.—A very successful Californian who has become an
enthusiast for California is R. Earl Elliott, the mail carrier and
rancher, who improves each shining moment, after he has discharged his
official duties, in caring for and developing his valuable ranch
property. He was born in the comfortable town of Sedalia, Mo., on
Washington’s Birthday, 1876. the son of William H. and Margaret Frances
(Wason) Ellit. who at present reside at Wichita. Kans. His parents
removed to Butler, Bates County. Mo., when Earl was a mere child, and in
Bates County he was reared on a ranch, for his father had 160 acres
devoted to general farming. He attended school in the Harmony district
and meanwhile steadily mastered a knowledge of farming. The name was
originally Elliott, but the great-grandfather, Thomas, was of Scotch
descent, and changed it to Ellit. He was a pioneer of Louisville, Ky..
and built one of the first houses there. The name remained as such until
the present generation, when Earl with his eldest brother and sister,
changed their name to Elliott. When Mr. Elliott was twenty-seven he came
to California, in February, 1903, and for eighteen months, from June of
that year, served as superintendent of the Santa Ana Cemetery. He
undertook to do all the cement work there previously contracted for by
private parties, and also started a record showing the lots for which
the upkeep was paid by private parties.
After a while Mr. Elliott sold out his cemetery interest to S. H. C.
Ritner, and with Dr. Newton, of Santa Ana, studied and practiced
chiropractic. This did not permanently satisfy him, however, and he
entered the Government service in 1906 and took charage of a rural free
delivery route, which he has held ever since. This includes a section
southwest of Santa Ana through Talbert, and he was the first carrier to
use an automobile for rural delivery in this section.
In 1906 Mr. Elliott built a home at 1702 East Fifth Street and two years
later he traded this for J. E. Livesey’s home at 319 East Seventeenth
Street, where he set out an orchard, and in 1912 he built a new home. In
March, 1919, he traded that for a twelve-acre citrus ranch on Warren
Street in Tustin, and in December sold it to C. M. Lyon. Then he
purchased the five-acre ranch at 314 Santa Clara Avenue from John
Winter. The ranch is under the Santa Ana Valley Irrigation Company’s
service, and so is well supplied with water, and is devoted to Valencia
oranges. It is, in fact, now one of the model ranches of its size in the
neighborhood.
In 1900, at Butler, Mo., Mr. Elliott married Miss Mabel D. Ritner, the
daughter of Spencer H. C. and Mary Ritner, and a native of Henry County,
Iowa. Four children have been granted the happy couple. Spencer, who is
at present a gun pointer on the Battleship Brooklyn, enlisted at Santa
Ana on May S, 1919, and was sent to San Francisco to be trained on Mare
and Goat Island. Ivan R. is a student in the Santa Ana high school; Ruth
is in the eighth grade of the grammar school, and Grace is in the sixth
grade. The family are members of the First Baptist Church of Santa Ana,
where Mr. Elliott is a deacon and is as enthusiastic in his support of
all church and civic improvement work as he is in the prosecution of
business and the “booming” of the favored section and state in which he
lives.
ISAAC R. HENDRIE.—An energetic, hardworking and far-seeing rancher of
the sincere, modest type, whose relations to his neighbors are governed
by the principle of the Golden Rule, is Isaac R. Hendrie of 1110 West
Washington Street, Santa Ana. He was born at Glenwood, Mills County,
Iowa, on
Isaac R. Hendrie then purchased his father’s land and continued to farm
along the same lines as his father had pursued, until 1909, when he
determined to push further west, and sold the acreage he had improved.
He was a member of the Colorado Cattle Growers Association.
Settling for a while at Long Beach, Mr. Hendrie worked for the City
Water Company there for five years, or until
On
JOHN T. LYON.—Southern California has offered many opportunities to John
T. Lyon, and with the keen vision and foresight of a “born” real estate
man, he has grasped the opportunities offered and climbed to success
through his own abilities and energy. Born in Bastrop County, Texas,
On reaching nineteen years of age, in 1894, Mr. Lyon started out for
himself, and came to Southern California, first locating in Pomona,
where he worked for wages on different ranches. In 1895 he came to Santa
Ana and worked for a time, then went back to Pomona, in 1896, and worked
on ranches once more. In 1897 he settled in Chino, rented land and
raised beets for the sugar factory. In 1898 he located at Spadra. raised
alfalfa and engaged in the feed and fuel business. In 1901 this
enterprising young man bought an eleven-acre orange grove in North
Pomona, next to the Richards ranch, and two years later sold this
property for a profit of $2,000.
In May, 1904, Mr. Lyon located in Garden Grove. Orange County,
bought fifty acres of land, the old Toomey place, and put in a pumping
plant, the first one installed in that district; he improved the land
and sold it in 1906. From 1906 to 1913 he located in Santa Barbara,
erected a business block in that city, and engaged in the mercantile
business; this he sold out in 1913, and then located in Los Angeles,
where he engaged in the real estate business, selling land in the San
Fernando Valley for the H. J. Whitley Company, which concern had opened
up land in the Van Nuys to Owensmouth section.
In this Mr. Lyon was very successful, selling over a million
dollars’ worth of property in this district.
In 1917 Mr. Lyon came to Anaheim, and engaged in the buying and selling
of orange groves, and is at present the owner of a very fine grove near
Anaheim. He started in the real estate business in that city in
November, 1919. and his years of experience of the actual, practical
sort, throughout Southern California, make him peculiarly adapted to the
appraising of land valuations in this section of the state, and
particularly in Orange County, and his settling in this district shows a
keen appreciation of its possibilities.
The marriage of Mr. Lyon united him with Fannie M. Baker, a daughter of
Andrew Baker, one of the early settlers of Anaheim. Fraternally Mr. Lyon
is a member of the Santa Barbara Lodge of Knights of Pythias, and of
Anaheim Lodge No. 207, F. & A. M.
RALPH A. FULLER.—A very popular and enterprising business man and
horticulturist of Orange, who is very enthusiastic and optimistic for
the wonderful opportunities and great future for Orange County, is Ralph
A. Fuller, who was born on September 19. 1881. His father was Herman A.
Fuller, an educator and one of a family of “down easters,” tracing their
ancestry back to England, which was also the case with the family of
Mrs. Fuller, who was Ida W, Andrews before her marriage.
Mr. Fuller died when his son Ralph was only ten years old and the
lad came to California with his mother in 1895. Mrs. Fuller purchased
the old Ainsworth place on Yorba Street at McPherson. consisting of
fifteen acres, and in 1909 sold it. Then she built on her ten acres at
the southwest corner of Yorba and Chapman streets. These are now devoted
entirely to Valencia oranges and the acreage is under the Santa Ana
Valley Irrigation Company. Mrs. Fuller, who was a very active member of
Hermosa Chapter. O. E. S.. of which she was past matron and also past
noble grand of the Rebekah Lodge of Orange, passed away on Christmas
Day. 1913. Of her two children Ralph A. is the eldest, and his sister is
Mrs. Olive M. Fine of 303 West Santa Clara Avenue. Santa Ana.
Ralph A. Fuller’s
early education was received at El Modena public school and Santa Ana
high school. After school days were over he took charge of his mother’s
ranch, and being an admirer of standard bred horses, he was one of the
organizers and an officer in the Orange County Driving Club, and also
took an active part in their matinees. Among the fine animals he owned
was the sire “’Raymon,” No. 12007. In
1909 he moved to his present place, which he later improved to Valencia
oranges. In May, 1915, he took up life insurance and is now connected
with the Travelers’ Insurance Company of Hartford, Conn., and has become
a leader among Southern California insurance men. He still finds time to
look after his orange orchard and see that it has the proper care, and
takes much enjoyment in its development.
Mr. Fuller is active in all community affairs and contributed liberally
to the success of the bond drives during the World War. A Republican in
national political affairs, he allows no partisanship to affect him in
the discharge of his duty as a citizen in matters of local moment. Mr.
Fuller is a prominent clubman and a leader in social affairs, not alone
in Orange County, but in the metropolis of the Southland as well.
History of
Historic Record
Company,
Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham ~ Pages 1495-1600
Martha A Crosley
Graham
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