Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham


                                                                

JOSIAH I. KEENE

One of the men who contributed to the improve and extensive development of the beautiful Santa Clara Valley in Ventura County was the late Josiah I. Keene, a stanch New Englander, a pioneer of the great Northwest in the early days, a soldier of the Civil war, and one of the arrivals in Ventura County of the early '70s.

He was born at Cannan, Maine, December 19, 1828. reared and educated in his native state he learned the machinist's trade and in early manhood moved out to what was then the extreme northwestern frontier, the territory of Minnesota, locating in Mankato, where he was employed at his trade until the outbreak of the war.  In 1861 he enlisted in the Second Minnesota Volunteers, and remained with his command until he was wounded in 1864.  Being incapacitated for active field service he was assigned to work in the Department of the Interior at Washington, District of Columbia, and remained a resident of the national capital until 1872.

In that year he came to Ventura, California and bought eighteen acres of land near the city of that name.  This land he planted to walnuts and orange trees. In 1874 he took up a soldier's claim of 160 acres on Sespe Rancho in Santa Clara Valley near Santa Paula, but retained his residence on the original eighteen acres. Not long afterward he filed upon a 132 acre timber culture claim adjoining the homestead. One feature of his early industry there was bee culture. In 1888 he sold his Ventura property and moved to the homestead, where in 1889 began the development which has transformed every portion of it into a varied fruit orchard. In that year he planted forty acres of vineyard and twenty-five acres of olives.  In 1895 water was introduced for irrigation purposes. He continued the active management of his fine estate until death came to him on September 12, 1900, when he was past seventy years of age.

The late Mr Keene was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, was a republican voter and a member of the Universalist Church. In Washington, District of Columbia, December 31, 1873, he married Lucy Monroe, who was born at Conway, Massachusetts. There were five children: Kendall, a rancher at Suisun, California; Allen in the oil business at Fullerton, California; Herman: Mrs Robie Jenkins of Santa Paula; and Mrs Helen Foster of Santa Paula.

"The History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo & Ventura Counties"
CM Gidney of Santa Barbara ~ Benjamin Brooks of San Luis Obispo ~ Edwin M Sheridan of Ventura: 1917
The Lewis Publishing Company of Chicago, IL - Pages 551-552

CHARLES G. BARTLETT

One of the oldest, most prominent and reliable concerns in Ventura is the well known firm, the Bartlett Company, jewelers and music dealers, the record of which has been synonymous with the growth and development of this city for many years it being now numbered among the very oldest institutions of the kind in the State of California  For over a half century Charles G. Bartlett has devoted himself indefatigably to the interest of the business and has had the pleasure of seeing it grow steadly through the years until it has long been considered one of the most substantial houses in this locality,

Mr Bartlett was born in the southern part of England, February 23, 1852, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Griffin) Bartlett, both of whom also were natives of England. His paternal grandfather, Richard Bartlett, kept an inn at Axmouth, England, while his maternal grandfather was a dealer in flax. When our subject was three years of age the family came to the United States, locating in Adrian Michigan, where he was reared and received a good, practical education in the public schools He then learned the trade of a jeweler, at which he worked until 1872, when he came to San Francisco, California, where he obtained employment in a large jewelry establishment on Montgomery street, with which he remained three years  In 1875 he came to Ventura and in partnership with his brother, Albert G Bartlett, opened a Jewelry, stationery and music store, under the firm name of Bartlett Brothers. Their parents came to this place a few years later and here spent their remaining years, the father dying at the age of ninety years and the mother passing away at the advanced age of ninety-six years.

Bartlett Brothers began their business career in a modest way, their first store being only ten by fifteen feet in size, but they applied themselves closely to their business and by their enterprising and progressive methods soon found themselves on the road to success In 1882 they opened a music store in Los Angeles, which also was a successful venture and which they incorporated in 1900 The Ventura business was later incorporated as the Bartlett Company, our subject being president of the latter company and vice president of the Los Angeles concern. He later severed his connection with the Los Angeles company, which was sold. He still maintains his active interest in the business here but now permits himself more leisure than in former years. This firm has always carried a large and well selected stock, and they have commanded the largest trade in their line in this section of the county. For many years they also had the local agency for the Pacific Coast Steamship Company. Mr. Bartlett became a director of the Bank of Ventura in 1895, retaining that position continuously until the bank was taken over by the Bank of Italy, when he became a director of the latter institution.

Mr. Bartlett was married to Mrs. Alice (Day) Riggin, who was born in Wisconsin, a daughter of James Day, who brought his family to Ventura. By a former marriage Mrs. Bartlett had a son, Charles, born in Ventura. To Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett were born two daughters, Effie and Mabel. Mabel became the wife of Thomas Gould, Jr., and they have two children, Richard and Margaret. Politically Mr. Bartlett has been a lifelong supporter of the republican party, but never took an active part in political affairs. Fraternally he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which he joined in 1871, and he is now affiliated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Citizens Club of Ventura. He has always been deeply interested in musical matters and was instrumental in organizing and maintaining a fine orchestra and band in Ventura. Mrs. Bartlett has for many years been active in the social and club life of Ventura, being president of the E. C. O. Club, and has also been influential in advancing the musical interests of the community.

History of Ventura County, California : Sheridan, Neil Solomon

S J Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, 1926 - Pages 20-21

Mc Campbell, William E

It is not an easy task adequately to describe a man who has led an eminently active and busy life and who has attained a position of relative distinction in the community with which his interests are allied; but biography finds its most perfect justification in the tracing and recording of such a life history. William E. McCampbell, a leading real estate dealer and one of the trustees of the city of Fillmore, has been for nearly two decades a resident of Fillmore, during which time he has not only prospered in his individual affairs but has also been actively identified with the civic affairs of his community, and is today numbered among its representative citizens. He was born in Marshall, Parke county, Indiana, on the 8th of October, 1875, and was reared in that locality, securing his educational training in the public schools. He lived there until 1904, when he came to California, locating at Long Beach, where he was engaged in the real estate business until 1907, when he came to Fillmore and engaged in the same line of business here. During the ensuing years he has proved a potent factor in this community's development, having handled a great deal of land in this locality, and he has done his full share in advertising to the outside world the wonderful advantages of Ventura county, of which he is a persistent booster. He has made a specialty of selling ranches, particularly in the Sespe and Bardsdale tracts, and all of his transactions have been marked by fair dealing and sound commercial principles. 

Mr. McCampbell was married to Miss Lillian Elder, who also is a native of Indiana, and they are the parents of six children: Mrs. Ross Wileman, H. A., Mrs. Ruth Perkins, William E., Jr., Helen and Irwin. Mr. McCampbell is a member of the Fillmore Rotary Club, in the various activities of which he has taken a leading part. Though closely devoted to his individual affairs, he has never neglected his duties to the community but has earnestly lent his efforts and influence to the advancement of all measures for the betterment of the public welfare. Because of his commendable qualities of character and genial and kindly manner toward all with whom he comes in contact he has long enjoyed the respect and good will of the entire community.

History of Ventura County, California : Sheridan, Neil Solomon

S J Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, 1926 - Page 478

  

Cummings, Victor Edwin

...a favorably known and representative citizen of Ventura county, where he has spent practically his entire life, has by his indomitable enterprise and progressive methods contributed in a material way to the advancement of his locality and during the course of an honorable career has not only met with well deserved material success but has also gained a high place in the estimation of all who know him.

Mr. Cummings was born on his father's ranch, west of Santa Paula, on the 2d of June, 1892, and is a son of John F. and Georgia (Sweeney) Cummings, the latter of whom was a native of New York state. John F. Cummings was born in Richland county, Ohio, on the 19th of September, 1835, and died in 1918, at the age of eighty-three years. He was reared and educated in his native state and at the age of twenty-five years he came to California. In 1869 he bought one hundred and fifty acres of land near Santa Paula, on which he raised barley and hogs for a number of years. In 1876 he planted a large acreage of lima beans, being the first man in this valley to successfully grow beans. He devoted himself closely to the improvement and development of his ranch, which is now a very valuable property, and in 1913 he bought five hundred acres of land in Wheeler canyon. He was married in September, 1880, to Miss Georgia Sweeney and they became the parents of nine children, eight of whom are living, namely: Ada; Madge; Walter W.; Esther; Jcannette; Victor Edwin; Olga, who died at the age of nineteen years; John F., Jr.; and Wilson Shannon.

Victor E. Cummings was reared on the home farm and secured his educational training at the Briggs school and the Santa Paula high school. He was on the home farm until 1914, when he became teller in the Bank of Saticoy, where he remained two years, and then became field representative of the California Lima Bean Growers Association. Later he was for a time employed in a broker's office in San Francisco, but on the entry of his country into the World war he entered the military service and became a member of the One Hundred Sixty-first Machine Gun Company of the Forty-first Division, but was assigned to the Ninth Infantry of the Second Division, with which he saw all his active service. He was sent overseas and saw service on the western front, taking part in many of the important engagements, including Chateau Thierry, Soissons and Saint Mihiel. He received a wound in the last named engagement. After the signing of the armistice he returned to this country and received an honorable discharge.

Mr. Cummings then engaged in farming for two years, at the end of which time he took a three-years' course in vocational training at the Southwestern University, specializing in accounting. In August, 1925, Mr. Cummings bought ten acres of the Huntley ranch, near Saticoy, and has also purchased fifty acres of land of Mrs. Huntley. He is up-to-date in all his methods and has shown himself to be untiring and persistent, doing thoroughly and well whatever he undertakes, and is meeting with a well deserved prosperity.

Mr. Cummings married Miss Louise Huntley, who was born and reared in this county and they are the parents of a, son, Paul Robert, now six years of age. Fraternally Mr. Cummings is a member of Santa Paula Lodge, No. 291, Free and Accepted Masons and Ventura Chapter, Royal Arch Masons and he also belongs to the American Legion. He is a man of mature judgment and wise discrimination, holds decided opinions on the great issues of the day, on which he keeps well informed, and stands for all that is best in community life. Courteous and kindly, genial and friendly, he has a host of warm personal friends who esteem him for his genuine worth as a man and citizen.

History of Ventura County, California : Sheridan, Neil Solomon

S J Clarke Publishing Company/span>, Chicago, 1926 - Page 474-475 

 

Poplin, Lloyd F

...has long been one of the enterprising and influential citizens of Ventura county, where he has resided for nearly forty years. A man of forceful individuality and marked ability, he is well equipped for the duties of life, while his high character and his genial personality have gained for him the esteem and friendship of his fellow citizens throughout the community. Mr. Poplin was born in Anderson county, Kansas, on the 15th of September, 1885, and is a son of Adley Greenfield and Elizabeth (Boucher) Poplin, who have been residents of Ventura county since 1888. The father was born in Carroll county, Arkansas, November 6, 1857, the son of John and Mahala (Breece) Poplin. John Poplin was born in North Carolina, November 10, 1827, and when young was taken to Hickman county, Tennessee, where he was reared and educated. Though a strong supporter of the Union, he was conscripted into the Confederate army in 1862, but soon deserted to the Union army, from which he requested an escort to guard his family out of Arkansas. He was arrested as a Confederate spy, but being a brother Mason he succeeded in convincing the commanding officer of his innocence and the officer sent a guard to bring out

Mr. Poplin's family and any others desirous of leaving, but kept the father as a prisoner until the safe return of the soldiers. This guard took sixty families out of Arkansas and guarded them north to the Iowa line, the Poplin family being included in the number. Mr. Poplin served as a first lieutenant of the home guards in Kansas during Price's raid. After the war he taught school in Iowa and farmed for about a year and in 1864 he became a pioneer settler in Anderson county, Kansas, where he remained until 1866, when he removed to Carroll county, Arkansas, and put in a crop, but in the fall of that year returned to Anderson county, where he lived until 1885, when he removed to Ventura county, California. Here he bought two hundred and fifty acres of land near Ventura, later selling half of this to his son, H. L. He continued farming here until 1891, when he sold the place and lived retired until his death in May, 1905.

Adley G. Poplin attended the public schools of Anderson county, Kansas, until fifteen years of age and, after working on his father's farm for a couple of years, went to Houston, Texas, where he was employed on a ranch for two years, followed by one year on a farm in Benton county, Missouri. He -then returned to Anderson county and farmed rented land for a year, at the end of which time he came to California, locating near Sacramento, where he worked on a farm about nine months, and was then connected with a threshing outfit in Tulare county for six months. He later returned to Anderson county, Kansas, where he did farm work for four years, after which he bought eighty acres of land there, to the operation of which he devoted himself for three years. He next went to Walla Walla, Washington, where he worked for three months, after which he was in Sacramento county, California, for six months. Again he returned to Anderson county, where he farmed for three years more, and in December, 1888, came to Ventura county, California. Here he rented fifty acres of land which he farmed until 1890, when he bought one hundred and ninety acres of the Santa Ana grant, which he devoted to general farming and stock-raising. In 1902 he moved to the vicinity of Ventura, renting twenty-two acres, which he bought in 1905 at the same time selling his Santa Ana property. In 1912 he sold the twenty-two acres and bought thirty-one acres in the Ojai valley. He is now taking life leisurely, having amassed a competency, and is enjoying life as only those can who live in this nature-favored section of the country. He is a stockholder in the Ojai Orange Association, is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and in his political views is a republican. On January 5, 1880, in Greeley, Kansas, Mr. Poplin was married to Miss Elizabeth Boucher, who is a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Simon Boucher, one of the pioneers of Anderson county, Kansas. To Mr. and Mrs.Poplin were born two children, Lloyd F. and Iva.

Lloyd F Poplin was but three years of age when the family came to Ventura county and he secured his education in the public schools of the Arnaz district and the Ventura high school. He then turned his attention to farming, assisting his father and in 1912 came to the Ojai valley as manager of his father's orange ranch to which he has given his attention continuously since. He also owns seventeen and a half acres which is planted to oranges, and in the operation of which he has been very successful. He has made a number of substantial improvements on the place including a splendid residence and other farm buildings, and now has a valuable and desirable ranch. Mr. Poplin is also engaged in the trucking business, operating two trucks, which are largely engaged in hauling oranges to the Ojai Orange Association packing plant.

Mr Poplin was married, November 29, 1909, to Miss Hazel Grigsby, who is a native of Illinois, and they are the parents of a daughter, Betty Jean. Mr. Poplin is a strong booster for Ventura county and has in every possible way cooperated with his fellow citizens in all movements for the advancement of the county's interests and the betterment of the public welfare. He is a man of sound judgment and energetic methods, generous in his support of all worthy causes, and of kindly and cordial manner Because of his splendid record, excellent qualities and agreeable personality, he enjoys an enviable standing throughout the community in which he lives.

History of Ventura County, California : Sheridan, Neil Solomon

S J Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, 1926 - Page 476-477

 

Kral, Steve

As the executive head of the United Pipe & Construction Company of Saticoy, Steve Kral is successfully guiding the destiny of one of the largest and most important business corporations of southern California. He has made his own way in the world and represents that type of well bred foreign born American citizen whose inherited

tendencies of industry, enterprise and honesty have added so much to the development and prosperity of this nation. A native of Servia, he was born May 23, 1893, and his parents were Michael and Stana (Jaksich) Kral. The father made the occupation of farming his life work and is survived by the mother.

Steve Kral was educated in 'Servia and at the age of eighteen years responded to the call of the new world. Coming to California, he lived for a time in Santa Monica and was afterward employed in various towns and cities throughout the state. He became an expert cement worker and in 1918 was one of the organizers of the United Concrete Pipe Company, having two associates in the undertaking. The business was incorporated in that year, and Mr. Kral was elected president. The firm was awarded many contracts for installing complete irrigation systems on ranches and for five years the business was centered at Montalvo. In 1924 the business of the Merced Concrete Company was merged with that of the United Concrete Pipe Company, and the new organization was incorporated under the name of the United Concrete Pipe & Construction Company, which maintains its headquarters in Ventura county. The company also has plants in Santa Monica, Merced, Delhi and Woodland and is making preparations to establish a branch at Los Angeles. The firm purchased the business of Bick Brothers in the last named city in December, 1925, and operates on an extensive scale, doing all kinds of cement work-a field of activity in which it has won and retained a position of leadership. Mr. Kral has carefully planned each step in the development of the business, and that he is an executive of more than average ability is denoted by the rapid progress of the industry and the high degree of efficiency maintained in its operation.

Mr. Kral gives his political allegiance to the democratic party but is not active in politics. He is appreciative of nature's beauties, and his leisure is spent in the open. He is a Knights Templar Mason and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He has attained the thirty-second degree in the order and is also connected with the Knights of Pythias. He is loyal to the state and country of his adoption and is accorded the respect which the world ever yields to the self-made man.

History of Ventura County, California : Sheridan, Neil Solomon

S J Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, 1926 - Page 475

 

Ayers , F H

...a well known and successful farmer of the Santa Paula district, has through his well directed efforts in the practical affairs of life, gained a Position of recognized prominence in his community. His energy and progressive methods have been crowned with a very gratifying measure of success and he has earned an enviable place among the leading citizens of his section of the county. Mr. Ayers was born in Johnson county, Missouri, on the 12th of February, 1878, and is a son of Vance and Martha (Granger) Ayers, the former born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Missouri. In 1888 the family came to Ventura county and the father engaged in operating the Sexton ranch, also a ranch at Oxnard and one in the Live Oak district. He prospered in his business affairs and eventually bought a ranch at Montalvo and rented three hundred and fifty acres of the Tom Bard property on the Las Posas. He carried on his operations successfully for many years, but is now retired and is residing in Los Angeles.

F H Ayers was ten years of age when the family came to Ventura county and he completed his public school course here, after which he spent three years, 1919-1921, in the University of Southern California. Starting out on his own account, he gave his attention mainly to raising beans, walnuts, lettuce and spinach, in the production of which he has met with pronounced success, being one of the largest Producers of these in this locality. In 1923 his lettuce crop yielded five hundred dollars an acre net, while his spinach, which brings twenty-five dollars a ton, produced from six to seven Tons an acre, with irrigation. Mr. Ayers also has part of his land in oranges and walnuts in the growing of which also he has been successful. Painstaking and thorough in all his work, exercising sound judgment and good discrimination, he has devoted his attention closely to the improvement and cultivation of his land, being accounted one of the most successful ranchers of the valley.

Mr. Ayers was married to Miss Alpha L. Faulkner, who was born and reared in Ventura county, and they are the parents of four children, Loren S., Raymond V. Rhoda F. and Stella L. Mr. Ayers is a member of Santa Paula Lodge No. 291 'F'. & A. M., and Ventura Chapter, R. A. M. He is deeply interested in educational matters and is now serving as a member of the board of trustees of the Santa Paula union

high school. A member of the Ventura County Farm Bureau, he has taken an active part in the advancement of all measures tending to promote the interests of the ranchers of this community. In 1922 Mr. Ayers erected his present beautiful and comfortable home and has otherwise improved his property, which is now a very attractive and desirable ranch home. He is a man of strong character, standing for all that is best in community life and throwing his influence to the right side of every moral issue, so that he has long enjoyed the respect and confidence of the representative people of the county. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Santa Paula, having been affiliated with this denomination from earliest boyhood and at present is one of its officers.

History of Ventura County, California : Sheridan, Neil Solomon

S J Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, 1926 - Page 477-478

 

Hosea, Dudley H

One of the leading business men of Santa Paula, Ventura county is Dudley H. Hosea. proprietor of the Standard Plumbing & Supply Company. He has succeeded in his chosen life work because he has been persistent and energetic in developing his business and honorable in his dealings with the public, owing to which qualities he has won the confidence and good will of all with whom he has had commercial relations. He was born in Jackson, Louisiana, on the 13th of June 1896 and he received his educational training in the public schools of Clinton, which was his later home. He then went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he entered the Milwaukee Trades School and learned the plumbing trade, after which he went to Portage Wisconsin, where, for five years he worked at his trade, gaining valuable and practical experience. In November, 1917, Mr. Hosea enlisted for service in the World war joining the Engineers Battalion of the Thirty-second Division. He was sent to a training camp in Texas and was then sent overseas, being engaged in hospital construction work in France. He received an honorable discharge from the service in May, 1919, and in that same year came to Santa Paula and entered the employ of the Santa Paula Hardware Company. He remained with that firm until January 1 1923, when he engaged in business for himself, under the name of the Standard Plumbing & Supply Company, and has enjoyed a fine measure of success  He specializes in the installation of heating plants and has performed a number of large contracts in that line, among which are those of the St. Augustani Academy at Ojai, the two grammar schools in Santa Paula, the Olive Land school, the Mound school and the Washington school in Ventura, and he installed all the plumbing in the beautiful new residence of C. C. Teague, at Santa Paula. Mr. Hosea has one of the most unique and best fitted display rooms in this section of the country it being installed according to original ideas of his own, with tiled walls and the most up-to-date line of fixtures in the market, the whole presenting a very attractive appearance. He is one of the owners of the business block in which his store and shop are located.

Mr. Hosea has taken a good citizen's interest in everything pertaining to the progress and welfare of the community and is a charter member of the Santa Paula Rotary Club. Fraternally he is a member of Santa Paula Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; of Ventura Commandery, Knights Templar, and of the Knights of Pythias, and he is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce. He is also active in Boy Scout work, being scoutmaster of Troop No. 1, of Santa Paula, having a ten year badge. Quiet and unassuming in manner, he is nevertheless a man of likable character, and he has not only gained a wide acquaintance throughout this section of the county but has won a large circle of warm and loyal friends, who esteem him for his genuine worth as a man and a citizen.

History of Ventura County, California : Sheridan, Neil Solomon

S J Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, 1926 - Page 474

 Site Updated: 01 December 2009

Martha A Crosley Graham