USA > California > San Diego County > San Diego county, California; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 1
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M. L
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01717 2237
SAN DIEGO
COUNTY CALIFORNIA
A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement
Black
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II -
2
CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1913
arthur N. Clark_$26.50 2 vols
1192412
John Dreckels C
BIOGRAPHICAL
JOHN D. SPRECKELS.
No name is more widely known or stands for greater commercial activity and enterprise on the Pacific coast than that of Spreckels. It is a too uniformly accepted opinion that sons of successful fathers do not possess equal business ability or at least the circumstances and environment in which they live do not call it forth, but if this be true the history of John D. Spreckels is an exception to the rule. The pleasure of success is his. Capable of handling projects of magnitude, he delights in their successful control and in solving the intricate and complex problems connected therewith. He is today a representative of many of the most important corporate interests of southern California and his labors have had direct and important bearing upon the history of development and progress in this portion of the state.
He was born in Charleston, South Carolina, August 16, 1853, and is a son of Claus and Annie Christina Spreckels, who in 1854 removed to New York city, where they remained for two years and then went to San Francisco. In the schools of the latter city John D. Spreckels pursued his education to the age of thirteen years and then attended Oakland College at Oakland, California, for three years. He next went to Hanover, Germany, where he became a student of mechanical engineering and chemistry in the Polytechnic College which he attended until 1872. On his return to San Francisco he received practical busi- ness training in his father's sugar refinery. He did not seek the benefit of parental influence but began work as a laborer. Gradually he worked his way upward as he acquainted himself with the various phases of manufacturing and sale, and between the ages of twenty-two and twenty-four he was superintendent. He then went into the laboratory and in 1876 he was sent to the Sandwich islands, where he made analyses of sugar for a year. Returning to San Francisco, he spent another year in the laboratory, after which he again went to the Sandwich islands for the purpose of erecting a sugar mill and developing a plantation for his father. Mr. Spreckels had charge of the construction of the mill and its operation for nine months, after which he once more returned to San Francisco and organized the firm of J. D. Spreckels & Brothers, commercial importers, operating eight sailing vessels between the Hawaiian islands and San Francisco. In 1882 he established a steamship line to Honolulu, running two steamers, and in 1884 he put in operation a line from San Francisco to Australia and New Zealand, the boats of which are still engaged in passenger and freight traffic between San Francisco and those countries.
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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Mr. Spreckels' identification with San Diego followed his arrival here in his yacht Lurline on a pleasure trip in the summer of 1887. It was his first visit to this city, which had been laid out on most generous plans, its platted area exceeding that of most cities of the country, being twenty-four miles in length by six in width. It was built upon the hills overlooking San Diego bay, a beauti- ful land-locked harbor into which John D. Spreckels, standing at the wheel, guided his yacht. Not long after landing in the city Mr. Spreckels, whose posi- tion in the business world was of course well known in San Diego, was offered a wharf franchise here, the townspeople feeling that it would be a good thing to interest him in their town. Seeing the possibilities of the harbor and climate he decided to identify himself with business affairs here, determining to establish a branch of J. D. Spreckels & Brothers at this point. One of his first activities here was the building of a wharf on which were erected modern coal bunkers, after which he began shipping coal direct to San Diego for the purpose of sup- plying the Santa Fe Railroad, which at that time was in the hands of a receiver and was owing Mr. Spreckels hundreds of thousands of dollars for the coal they obtained from him. It is a well known fact that the Santa Fe could not have given any adequate service, whatever, had it not been by the assistance of Mr. Spreckels in that dark hour in its history. With the establishment of his coal business here he needed the cooperation of someone to act as local manager and associated with him in the undertaking E. S. Babcock, a promient business man of the town, and Captain C. T. Hinde, who came from St. Louis and was for- merly associated with the steamship business. They acted as local managers, while Mr. Spreckels financed the undertaking. This connection led to others. Mr. Babcock was interested in the project of the building of the Hotel Del Coronado but about the time it opened San Diego's boom bursted. The city had enjoyed rapid growth but its values were inflated and the pendulum had to swing the other way. Failure would have involved the company owning the great hotel had not Mr. Spreckels advanced the money for carrying on every enterprise of the Coronado Beach Company, covering Hotel Del Coronado and large landed interests. He became a third partner in this company in 1889. Not long after- ward he acquired the other two-thirds interests which included the San Diego street railway that in 1892 was converted from horse to electric power. Mr. Spreckels also acquired the ownership of a cable line and has since been active in the development of the urban and interurban street car interests. In his con- nection with the Coronado Beach Company he came into possession of the San Diego Union newspaper and the Coronado Railroad and the Hotel Del Coronado, together with half of all the property on South island and all on North island and Coronado Heights. It was in 1910 that he purchased the greater portion of the lot on which is erected the Union building, named for the San Diego Union, a morning newspaper owned by the Spreckels. In 1901 and 1902, much to the astonishment of the people of San Diego, for the city had not yet recovered from the boom, Mr. Spreckels rebuilt the entire street car system which indicated to the townspeople that he had faith in the city and put new heart into them. He became interested in the project of a water system with the result that the Southern California Mountain Water Company entered into a contract with the city to supply it with water up to seven million, seven hundred and seventy-seven thousand gallons per day. A pipe line was built from the company's reservoir to
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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
the city's reservoir and on the 6th of August, 1906, water began to flow into San Diego in abundance. Mr. Spreckels also turned his attention to the work of improving the city architecturally. In 1908 he erected a fine six-story modern office building of reinforced concrete, the first of the kind in the city, facing D street and extending from Second to Third streets, thus covering half of an entire block. This is called the Union building. This was followed by the Grant Hotel, the Timkin building and the Scripps building, all large reinforced concrete structures, and then he built an addition to the Union building, which carried the whole block in one line of architecture. Next was erected the American National Bank building, ten stories in height. In 1910 he began the erection of the Theater building, covering almost an entire block. It is a very handsome structure of the modern office building style of architecture, is of reinforced concrete and was completed at a cost of a million dollars. It faces on D street and extends from First to Second. If not in size, in point of convenience and equipment of safety and beauty of decoration, it is one of the finest theaters in the country. The remainder of the building is devoted to offices, of which there are three hundred and seventy-five, well lighted and fitted with every modern convenience. He now has under construction a fine concrete modern hotel building extending from Union to State, and facing D street. It is his aim to make this street the business center of San Diego and one of the finest thoroughfares of the United States. He has kept his buildings to the six-story limit and to the same general style of architecture. Recently owing to his belief that every city should own its own waterworks he sold to San Diego the water system for four million dollars-its actual cost. Something of the magnitude of his interests is indicated by the fact that he is now the president of the Western Sugar Refinery Company of San Francisco; the Spreckels Beet Sugar Company at Salinas, California, which is the largest of its kind in the world, handling over three thousand tons of beets daily ; the Oceanic Steamship Company ; the J. D. Spreckels & Brothers Com- pany of San Francisco; the Spreckels Brothers Commercial Companies of San Diego; the Pajaro Valley Consolidated Railroad Company ; the Coronado Beach Company; the San Diego Electric Railway Company; the San Diego & Southeastern Railway Company; the San Diego & Arizona Railroad Com- pany, and the San Diego Light & Fuel Company. While his investments are mammoth Mr. Spreckels does not leave the active management of his interests to others but continues a factor in their control, knowing the pleasure of victory as he moves the pawns upon the chess board of commerce. He watches the game with interest, studies each move to be made and notably· keen sagacity enables him to foretell the result long before the king row is reached.
In October, 1877, in Hoboken, New Jersey, Mr. Spreckels was married to Miss Siebein and they have four children: Mrs. Grace Hamilton and Mrs. Lily Holbrook, both of San Francisco; John D., Jr., who is twenty-eight years of age and is with the J. D. Spreckels & Brothers Company of San Francisco; and Claus, twenty-four years of age, who is assistant secretary and treasurer of the Spreckels Companies in San Diego.
Mr. Spreckels is a prominent Mason, his membership being in Oriental Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; California Commandery, K. T .; and the consistory, while the thirty-third or honorary degree has also been conferred upon him. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. He is a patron of the arts and a
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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
member of the Art Association of San Francisco. His club relations are with the Pacific Union and Bohemian Clubs and the San Francisco Yacht Club, of San Francisco; the San Diego Yacht Club and the Cuyamaca Club of San Diego; and the California Club, of Los Angeles. Such in brief is the history of J. D. Spreckels. To accumulate a fortune requires one kind of genius, to retain a fortune already acquired, to add to its legitimate increment and to make such use of it that its user may derive therefrom the greatest enjoyment and the public the greatest benefit, requires another kind of genius. Mr. Spreckels belongs to that younger generation of business men of California called upon to shoulder responsibilities differing materially from those that rested upon their predecessors. In a broader field of enterprise they find themselves obliged to deal with affairs of greater magnitude and to solve more difficult and complicated financial and economic problems. The subjective and objective forces of life are in him well balanced, making him cognizant of his own capabilities and powers, while at the same time he thoroughly understands his opportunities and his obligations. To make his native talents subserve the demands which conditions of society impose at the present time is the purpose of his life and by reason of the mature judg- ment which characterizes his efforts at all times he stands today as a splendid representative of the promient capitalists to whom business is but one phase of life and does not exclude his active participation in and support of the other vital interests which go to make up human existence.
WILLIAM E. ALEXANDER.
William E. Alexander is the president of the Escondido Valley Land & Plant- ing Company. He has been a resident of Escondido, San Diego county only since 1909, but within that period he has demonstrated his right to be ranked with the leading and representative businesss men of the district. He brought with him a knowledge of fruit culture and of real-estate activities gained through almost a quarter of a century's identification with those interests in Colorado, and his enterprise here is leading to rapid and permanent development and improvement in the valley in which he is operating. He was born in Gallia county, Ohio, July 15, 1856, his parents being John B. and Harriett R. Alexander. He attended private schools in Tishomingo county, Mississippi, to which place the family removed in. 1863. His more specifically literary course was continued there until he reached the age of sixteen years and later he spent a year as a student in the law office of Colonel W. S. J. Adams. He then removed to St. Louis, Missouri, where he entered commercial circles as general manager for Charles A. Fowle & Company, proprietors of the second department store established in America, but the lure of the west took him further and further toward the Pacific coast. At Denver, Colorado, he conducted a department store on his own account under the style of W. E. Alexander & Company, meeting with success in that under- taking during the eight years in which he continued in the business. After sell- ing out he turned his attention to irrigation interests and built the first important reservoir for the storage of water in the state of Colorado known as the Castle- wood dam. This was a million dollar proposition with which he was connected
Wealexander
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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
until 1893, when he sold it. He continued, however, in the real-estate and irri- gation business in that state until 1903. He spent twenty years in Colorado, during which time he has planted some four hundred and seventy-eight thou- sand apple trees and built three towns in the Manzanola country known as the Arkansas valley of Colorado. His father and grandfather before him were expert in apple culture and lie added to his early knowledge of the subject which had been gained through practical experience, wide reading and scientific inves- tigation and experimentation. Mr. Alexander was accidently attracted to that region and after making a thorough examination of the soil, bedrock, drainage, water and climate concluded that it had the making of one of the finest apple districts in the country. Many laughed at him, saying that he could never grow apples in that district. In the Pueblo (Colorado) Chieftain there appeared the following: "Fourteen years ago when W. E. Alexander, now of California, began to set out hundreds of acres of apple trees, he was regarded as an eccentric and his appearance on the streets of Manzanola was the occasion for an exchange of knowing looks by the town's people. Yet this year's crop from these orchards will make their owners wealthy." Thus was Mr. Alexander's wisdom and judg- ment demonstrated. On leaving Colorado he went to Pocatello, Idaho, where he built a large irrigation ditch and reclaimed an extensive tract of desert land. In 1905 he sold out there and came to California, more particularly on account of his wife's health. Making his headquarters in San Francisco he traveled for three years over the state looking for what he considered a desirable location. During that time he investigated the orange, lemon, prune and fig business and the growing of apples, pears and grapes. In fact he studied the question of fruit culture in its various phases but did not find exactly the conditions that he desired. He then returned to the east for a year but the climate of California lured him back and, settling in Los Angeles, he began a more thorough investiga- tion of the southern part of the estate. After two years he drifted by accident into the Escondido valley and found there what he had sought-ideal water, soil and climatic conditions. This was in 1909. He finally secured the McCoy ranch of about two thousand acres adjoining the town of Escondido on the south and concluded to plant Muscatel grapes which he found came to the highest perfec- tion in this district. The grapes were set out, the land divided into ten acre tracts and advertised. Within six months one thousand acres had been sold --- all that the company cared to part with at that time. Their next purchase con- sisted of five thousand acres of land all in the Escondido valley. It was not long before Mr. Alexander had given practical demonstration of his ability that the finest grapes in the world can be raised on these lands without irrigation and that especially fine apples, peaches and pears can also be produced without or with very little irrigation-a point of the greatest importance as fruits grown without irriga- tion have a more delicious flavor, will ship better, are more satisfactory to the consumer and bring a greater profit to the purchaser. It was in 1911 that Mr. Alexander organized a syndicate with his friends and purchased the original townsite of Escondido with its adjoining lands comprising seven thousand acres which he has since platted for oranges, lemons and grapes. He is today one of the most prominent fruit producers in southern California, his interests having assumed extensive proportions. The equable climate of San Diego is a great factor in his success and, moreover, the average rainfall of the Escondido valley
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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
is sixteen inches per annum, while that at San Diego is but ten inches. Soi! and climate, added to the most careful and scientific cultivation, have brought to the company a measure of success that is most gratifying and their prosperity has proved an element in the continued growth and development of this section.
In St. Louis, in February, 1880, Mr. Alexander was united in marriage to Miss Emma J. Boyd and they have three children: W. E., thirty-one years of age ; Robert B., twenty-seven years; and Richard M., nineteen years. The three sons are now associated with their father in business. Mr. Alexander is a popular member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Royal Arcanum, and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is a most wide-awake, active and energetic citizen in his support of measures and improvements having to do with the public good as well as the advancement of individual interests. He was active in instituting the "Escondido Grape Day," a unique fall festival held September 9, each year, when the hospitality of the citizens is extended to several thousand visitors who are shown the fruit farms of this region while eight or ten tons of the delicious Muscatel grapes are placed on ice a day or two in advance of the festival and are given freely to the visitors when they arrive, together with a boxful which they are allowed to take home. Of the Grape Day Association Mr. Alexander is president and after its annual celebration his correspondence for months is very heavy, answering questions relating to the cultivation of grapes and other fruits in this district. He is one of the directors of the Escondido Mutual Water Company and has devoted a great deal of time and energy to the enlargement of the storage capacity of the system. While actuated by the laudable ambition of attaining success he at the same time realizes his opportunity to aid in the growth of the district and his labors have indeed been an effective force in its development.
ANDREW W. NORDAHL.
Andrew W. Nordahl is carrying on general farming and dairying upon one hundred and forty-seven acres of land three miles beyond Escondido, on the Los Angeles road, and is also the owner of another fine tract of twenty acres in the vicinity. He was born in Nebraska, October 18, 1874, and is a son of Andrew N. and Anna M. (Levin) Nordahl, natives of Sweden, who came to Nebraska about the year 1872 after having resided for some time in New York. For a number of years the father was a sailor and was prominent in the government service during the Civil war. He and his wife became the parents of six chil- dren : 'Andrew W., of this review: Albert, who has passed away: Josie, who makes her home in Los Angeles; Oscar, of Yuma, Arizona; Ida, the wife of John Hanson, who lives in San Marcos; and Henry, a teacher in the interests of the Young Men's Christian Association in Bolivia, South America.
Andrew W. Nordahl grew up on his father's stock farm in Nebraska and remained with his parents until he was seventeen years of age, clerking for the following three years in a general mercantile store in Shickley, Nebraska. He then came to California and settled on a twenty acre tract of land owned by his wife. This he operated as a vineyard and fruit ranch for six years and then
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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
purchased his present place, comprising one hundred and forty-seven acres. Upon this property he carries on general farming, specializing in raising grain, and is also engaged in dairying on a small scale. He has been very successful in the conduct of all the departments of his farm.
On September 2, 1901, Mr. Nordahl married Miss Alice Bucher, a native of Switzerland, who came alone to America. They have four children: Wilmer, Ella and Ilene, all of whom attend school; and Ida. The family are devout adherents of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally Mr. Nordahl belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and is active in the affairs of the Masonic order. He is independent in his political views, voting for the man whom he considers best fitted for the position without regard to party lines. For seven years he was school trustee and did able work in this capacity, securing for his district in Richland one of the best schools in San Diego county. Those who know him recognize in him many sterling qualities of mind and character and a business ability which undoubtedly will bring him continued advancement in his chosen line of work.
FAYETTE E. SMITH.
Among the men who were formerly closely associated with fruit growing in- terests in San Diego county but who are now living retired is Fayette E. Smith, whose home is half a mile north of San Marcos, on the Twin Oak road. He was born in New York state in 1840 and is a son of George and Mary (Wilcox) Smith, natives of Vermont. The family on both sides is of English ancestry and the grandparents of our subject were among the early settlers in New England, making their home in Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. George Smith became the parents of ten children, only four of whom, besides the subject of this review, grew to maturity. They are Frederick, George T., Myron and Ellen and they have all passed away.
Fayette E. Smith began earning his own livelihood when he was a little over twenty years of age. Having learned the cabinet-making trade from his father. he worked at this until his marriage and then followed farming for a number of years. At the outbreak of the Civil war he was desirous of serving his country in defense of the Union, but his failing health prevented this and he was obliged to remain at home. About this time he rented a farm in New York but after one year engaged as a sailor on the Great Lakes for three years, finally going to Indiana, where he became successful in the cattle business. After some time he moved to Nebraska and for nineteen years bought and sold cattle in the markets of that state. From Nebraska he went to Washington and from Washington to Colorado and spent six years in the furniture business in Alamosa. At the end of that time he bought a ranch near Fort Collins and operated it for three years before coming to California. In this state he settled first at Otay and conducted a lemon ranch of eleven acres, meeting with a gratifying degree of prosperity. When he sold this property he came to the Twin Oak valley and bought an apple and walnut ranch of ten acres, which he developed and improved until he moved into San Marcos two years later. Here he bought a small tract of five and a half
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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
acres and upon this beautiful property he is spending his retired life, having earned that rest which is the fitting reward of honorable and worthy work. He is greatly interested in making his home attractive and is constantly installing up-to-date appliances, among which may be mentioned an independent water system, which furnishes him with an inexhaustible water supply.
Mr. Smith has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Helen Harris, whose parents were among the early settlers in the New England states, coming to that section of America from their native country of Wales. To this union was born one child, Dunois E., who is married and lives in Grand Canyon, Arizona. He has one child, Meryl, who is manager of the Harvey store. Mr. Smith's first wife died in the spring of 1867 and he afterward married Mrs. Eliza A. Leach, the widow of John Leach, of New England. By her first marriage Mrs. Smith had one son, Fred E., who is a locomotive engineer in Walville, Washington. He is married and has four children, Roy, Myrtle, Florence and Robert. Mr. and Mrs. Smith became the parents of two children. Lulu became the wife of Frank Myers, of Coronado, California. She passed away, leaving one child, Fay, who is engaged in business in San Diego. The other child born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith is Frank, a merchant in Bakersfield, California. He is married and has one child, Jean F. Mr. Smith's present wife was in her maiden- hood Miss Eliza A. Morgan, a distant relative of the late J. Pierpont Morgan, the well-known financier.
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