A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, also containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present, Volume I, Part 100

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company
Number of Pages: 1184

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While in Marion, Ohio, Dr. Thomas was for ten years a member of the board of education.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

serving as president two terms, and for the past five years has been a member of the board of selectmen of Claremont, three years of this time being chairman of that body. He is always public-spirited and loyal to all the interests of the community. Politically he is a Republican. In 1880, while in Ohio, he was made a Mason in New England Lodge No. 4, at Worthington, later joined Marion Lodge No. 70 F. & A. M., of which he was master for five years, and since coming to the west has been a member of Pomona Lodge No. 246. He was exalted to the Royal Arch degree of Masonry in Marion, Ohio, serving as High Priest of his chapter for two years, and is now identified with the chapter at Po- mona. For five years he also served as prelate of Marion Commandery, K. T., an office which he now holds in Southern California Comman- dery No. 37, K. T., at Pomona. He is other- wise associated fraternally, being a member of the Modern Woodmen of America of Clare- mont and the Royal Arcanum. While in Ohio Dr. Thomas was a member of the Presbyterian Church, but is now a member of the Congre- gational Church of Claremont, in which he is a trustee and was associated as a member of the building committee in the construction of the ele- gant new church. In the line of his profession he is a member of the American Medical Asso- ciation, State, Southern California, and Pomo- na Valley medical societies, serving two years as president of the latter society, and is also phy- sician to Pomona College and medical exam- iner for half a dozen life insurance companies. He is one of the physicians connected with Po- mona Valley Hospital as one of its founders, and is also associated with its training school for nurses as one of the lecturers. From a perusal of the foregoing it will be seen that Dr. Thomas is a very versatile man, to which is added a thoroughness and penetration which bodes suc- cess in whatever he undertakes.

WILLIAM VESTAL COFFIN, M. D. The genealogy of the Coffin family is traced back to the days of William the Conqueror, among whose leading generals was Sir Richard Coffin. In return for his illustrious services at the bat- tle of Hastings he was tendered a large estate in Devonshire, where he became feudal lord over the original inhabitants; the old manor in that shire is still in the possession of members of the family. The founder of the race in America was that noble pioneer, Tristram Coffin, who im- migrated from Devonshire in 1642 and purchased Nantucket Island, where many of the descendants still dwell. During 1654-55 he officiated as a magistrate in Massachusetts. The next genera- ation was represented by Jolin Coffin, a lieuten-

ant in the colonial army during the Indian wars. The heads of the following generations were re- spectively Samuel, William (I), William (2), Elihu, Samuel Dwiggins and William Vestal. (Elihu Coffin married Jane Starbuck, who was also a descendant of Tristram Coffin through his daughter, Mary, she having married Nathaniel Starbuck, thereby becoming the mother of all American Starbucks.) (Nantucket Records.)

Prior to the war of the Revolution the family became established in North Carolina, where during 1773 William Coffin became a pioneer of Guilford county. In religion a Quaker, like others of that society he disapproved of the insti- tution of slavery and had no slaves on his plan- tation. The frank expression of his sentiments in the matter brought upon him the dislike and even persecution of the lawless element of his community, but he adhered to his views with the firmness characteristic of the family in every relation. Samuel Dwiggins Coffin was born in Guilford county and in early life found employ- ment as a foundryman and machinist. How- ever, his tastes inclined toward the medical pro- fession and he availed himself of an opportunity to study with Dr. Dougan Clark of Greensboro, Guilford county, under whose preceptorship he gained his primary knowledge of the science. Later he took the complete course of study in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. In those days the central states were attract- ing the great bulk of emigration and he followed the drift of colonization toward the Mississippi valley. Settling at Bloomingdale, Ind., he soon built up an excellent practice and for twenty years he lived and labored among the sick of that region.

Removing from Indiana to Kansas Dr. Sam- uel D. Coffin practiced medicine in Leavenworth and in Lawrence for ten years, being in the gov- ernment service under the old system of caring for the Indians. His brother, William G., was superintendent of the central district of Indian affairs and he acted as physician in the same dis- trict. On retiring from active professional work he left Kansas and in 1890 settled in California, where he lived in quiet contentment, enjoying a well-earned relaxation from the arduous duties incident to his profession. In this city his death occurred on Christmas day of 1903, when he was seventy-eight years of age. From his an- cestors he had inherited the religious faith of the Friends, to which society he adhered through- out all of his life. His wife, who bore the maid- en name of Mary A. Newlin, was born in North Carolina and now resides at Whittier, aged eighty-three years. In religion she is connected with the Society of Friends, and in that faith she carefully reared her children. Of the six sons

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and daughters comprising her family only John E. and William Vestal now survive. The latter was born at New Garden, Guilford county, N. C., March 31, 1857, and received excellent advan- tages in an Indiana school conducted by the So- ciety of Friends, this institution being Earlham College, from which, in 1877, he was graduated. Immediately afterward he took up the study of medicine in Miami Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1880 with the degree of M. D., and an excellent standing in class work.

On opening an office for the practice of his profession Dr. Coffin settled in Fairmount, Kans., where he remained until 1882, and then accepted an appointment as resident physician to the Nez Perces Indians in northern Idaho. After eigh- teen months at that agency he was transferred to the Indian training school at Forest Grove, Ore. Soon after taking up that work he was appointed superintendent of the school and superintended its removal to Chemawa near Salem, Ore., where lie remained as superintendent for two years. Upon a change in the national administration he resigned his position and returned to Kansas, settling in Lawrence. From there in 1890 he came to California and opened an office in Whit- tier, where from 1894 to the present time, with a short intermission, he has been connected with the state school as physician and assistant super- tendent. Like his forefathers he is of the Quak- er faith, firm in his allegiance to the doctrines of that society. In politics he stanchly advocates Republican principles. His marriage took place in Richmond, Ind., in 1897, and united him with Miss Sarah Nicholson. Their family comprises three children, Mary Louise, William Tristram and Samuel Timothy.

REV. WILLIAM O. WOOD. The history of the Wood family dates back to Belgium, and can be traced in direct line to Theofilus Wood, who landed at Plymouth Rock December 22, 1620. By his marriage with Lucinda Flood, the family is traced through their son Abner, born July 4, 1626; James, September 6, 1653 ; Samuel, August 10, 1680; Simeon, January I, 1710; Louis, April 6, 1740: Abner, Marchi 17, 1765. The marriage of Abner Wood with Rebecca Campbell resulted in the birth of the following children : Daniel, born July 1, 1790; Nathaniel and Lucy, born August 30, 1792: Theofilus and Elizabeth, July 28, 1796; Abner B., born in New York City, October 16, 1798; Samuel C., born March 13, 1800; Rebecca Wood Bennett, Feb- ruary 25, 1802: Simeon, September 7, 1804: Phoebe Wood Morris, September 9, 1806; Emily Wood White, February 13. 1809: Eliza Wood Coryell, July 19, 1811, and Gilbert September

26, 1813. In Virginia, November 6, 1821, oc- curred the marriage of Abner Benjamin Wood and Nancy Stone Calvert, and born to them were the following children : Mary Jane, born August 20, 1822; Mills Calvert, July 15, 1824; William Otterbien, July 28, 1826; George Dolson, Jan- uary 21, 1829; Lucy Ann, May 17, 1831 ; Ira H. March 5, 1833; Hulda N., March 22, 1835; Job K., June 13, 1837 ; and Abner B., September 30, 1839. In Marshall, Ill., January 2, 1852, was celebrated the marriage of William Otterbien Wood and Sarah Jane Marrs, and all of their children were born in Illinois, although they are now residents of California. Named in order of birth their children are as follows: Mary, who is now the widow of J. K. Newman, and the mother of two children, Clara and Willie; Sarah, who is the wife of A. L. Gordon, by whom she became the mother of two children, Anita and Fred, the latter passing away at the age of nine years; William F., who is a rancher, and a deacon in the Baptist Church in his home town in San Luis Obispo county; and Ben M., who makes his home on the old home place.

The pioneers of Ventura county remember with grateful pride the name and accomplish- ments of the late Rev. William O. Wood, one of the stanch upbuilders of the best interests of this section of the state since 1868, when he located permanently in California. When Mr. Wood came west he brought with him the highest attributes of manhood, inherited from a line of ancestors prominent in the early public affairs of the nation and as pioneer settlers of Ohio. He was born in Scioto county, that state, July 28, 1826, and there he spent the years of his boyhood alternating home duties on the paternal farm with an attendance of the public schools. Of a stu- dious nature he secured the best training afforded by that day, and when, at the age of seventeen years, the burden of the family fell upon himself and older brother through the death of both par- ents, he found himself equal to the occasion. With his parents he moved to Clark county, Ill .. and from that point Mr. Wood offered his ser- vices in the Mexican war, but owing to the regi- ment being filled he was not needed.

In 1849 Mr. Wood and his older brother be- came members of a band of one hundred men who set out for California-the wonderful El- dorado that was attracting the attention of the entire world-their journey being made by means of the slow-moving ox teams over the desert, and plains. October 8 of the same year found them at their journey's end in spite of many hardships and dangers, chief among which were the ravages made by the dread disease of cholera. Upon his arrival in the state Mr. Wood at once sought work in the mining regions and for several years followed this occupation,

Mrs. D. C. Zumy

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

but not meeting with the success anticipated eventually returned to his home in illinois. There, January 2, 1852, he married Sarah Jane Marrs, daughter of Representative Marrs of Kentucky, and together they established a home which re- mained in that location for the ensuing sixteen years.

Mr. Wood came to California the second time in 1868, bringing with him his wife and children with the intention of making this state his per- manent home. In Sutter county they remained for two years and one year on the Kings river, after which he came to Ventura county (then a part of Santa Barbara county), and here pur- chased eighty acres of the old colonial ranch, which became the nucleus for the vast property which he accumulated. His home remained in this location throughout the remainder of his life, the improvements marking the years with the evidence of the owner's thought and effort. The residence which he erected is a place of comfort and elegance, being surrounded with beautiful trees and shrubbery, plants and flowers, all con- tributive to make of this estate one of the most beautiful in Southern California. Mr. Wood . was eminently successful in his efforts and ac- quired means which he immediately invested in other lands, manifesting his faith in the future of Ventura county, until at the time of his death he owned about two thousand acres in the vi- cinity of Springville, one hundred and sixty acres in the celery district of Orange county, near New- port, and thirty thousand acres in the state of Durango, Mexico. With the increase of his large landed interests he also invested considerable means in improvements which not only enhanced the value of his own property, but that of the section as well. He took a deep interest in every- thing pertaining to the general welfare of the community in which he made his home and was always accounted one of the most liberal and enterprising citizens.

Not alone successful in his personal affairs, Mr. Wood gave freely of his time and talents to those about him in a strong, earnest effort to- ward their moral welfare. While a resident of Illinois he was ordained a minister in the Bap- tist Church, and during his remaining years in the middle west he filled several pulpits in the church. After locating in California he con- tinned his religious work, in 1871 holding services where the city of Santa Paula now stands, and in 1878 organizing a congregation at Spring- ville. Mr. Wood was instrumental in securing the erection of the first Baptist house of worship in Ventura county, the land being deeded by ex-United States Senator Bard, while Mr. Wood paid off the remaining debt of $600 just before dedication of the building. Up to the time of his demise the church continued under his leader-

ship, its charities ably sustained, its principles broadly advocated. Mr. Wood merited the pro- found respect and esteem in which he was univer- sally held, for his every effort in life was to advance the moral, mental and physical welfare of those with whom he came in contact. His death, which occurred August 23, 1905, at the age of seventy-nine years, removed from the community a citizen of unusual worth and abil- ity, a man of recognized breadth of mind and the most humane qualities of heart, a friend to the friendless and one who never failed to hold out his hand to all in need. He had won for himself a place in the hearts of his' neiglibors who revere and honor his memory for the good he tried to do.

MRS. DORA CZERNY. The family rep- resented by Mrs. Czerny of Long Beach is of Teutonic origin and still has its representa- tives in the kingdom of Hanover, where for many years her father, Christian Goebelhoff, held an important and responsible position as manager of the distributing department of a government newspaper published in Hanover. While still an active factor in journalistic af- fairs he died in 1871, at fifty years of age, be- ing survived by his wife. Christine (Broemer) Goebelhoff, who attained the age of sixty-five years and died in 1886. Leaving her native place in Hanover when but a young girl of eighteen years, Miss Dora Goebelhoff crossed the ocean to the new world and after a so- journ of six months in Baltimore settled in New York City. During her residence in the metropolis, in 1865 she became the wife of Charles E. Czerny, who was born in Austria. but came to the United States at an early age. Ten children were born of their union, but eight of the number died in childhood and Minnie lived only until twenty, passing away at Long Beach October 15. 1891. The only surviving member of the family is a. son. Charles G., now living in Seattle, Wash., and engaged in business in that city.

Repeated bereavements have left Mrs. Czerny almost wholly alone in the world ; vet, though suffering the agony of seeing her chil- dren taken from her one by one until now one alone survives, she did not allow her troubles to blight her life or lessen her courage. Left to struggle unaided in the effort to gain a live- lihood, she buried her sorrows in the graves of her children and with a calm and steady faith bravely faced a solitary future. After having spent sixteen years in New York and Jersey City she came west about 1882 and for four years remained in San Francisco. from which city she came to Long Beach

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March 17, 1887, and secured a position as housekeeper in the Long Beach hotel. Three months later she rented a bathhouse belong- ing to the hotel company and located at the foot of American avenue; this enterprise she managed for fourteen years. Later for two years she managed the surf bathhouse located under the pier, and in July, 1904, built the East Side bathhouse on the sand, in a location suitable for surf bathing. By the side of the bathhouse she has erected a modern cottage of six rooms, where she makes her home, and in addition she owns two cottages and a twelve room house on East Ocean avenue containing all the modern improvements and conven- iences. Since making her first purchase of property in 1891 she has handled considerable real estate, buying. vacant lots, improving them with cottages and then selling at a fair profit. Energetic, capable and resourceful, by her unaided efforts she has gained a com- mendable degree of business success and has proved what it is within the power of a woman to accomplish under adverse circumstances. Domestic cares and business responsibilities prevented hier from enjoying the pleasures of travel and recreation until quite recently, when she made a trip to Germany and visited again the scenes familiar to her girlhood.

HARRIE CLAYTON KNAPP. One who through natural gifts and training has been led to select electrical engineering as his vocation in life may be congratulated upon his choice, for its possibilities seem indefinite, each day revealing new wonders and accomplishments of which the father of electricity had no thought. From the time of his graduation as a mechanical and electrical engineer in 1881 until 1904 Mr. Knapp had given his efforts almost exclusively to work along this line, and it was with this practical knowledge that in April of 1904 he entered the employ of the California Portland Cement Company as superintendent of power.

The ancestry of the Knapp family can be traced in direct line to the great-great-grand- father, who was of Holland-Dutch extraction, and as a participant in the Revolutionary war fought nobly in behalf of the colonies. The son of the latter had inherited in a large measure the patriotic spirit of his sire, for in the war of 1812 he rose from the ranks until he was made colonel of his regiment. The martial tendencies of two generations fell to the grandfather, who though well advanced in years at the time of the Civil war, performed well his part in bring- ing hostilities to a close. For many generations the family had lived and flourished in Pennsyl- vania, and it was in that state that the father,

Coleman F. Knapp, was born and reared. He was a chemist and a manufacturer of perfumery in Philadelphia, and there his death occurred. During his young manhood he had married the woman of his choice, Miss Margaret Bowes, who was a descendant of French antecedents, and like himself was a native of Philadelphia. She is a daughter of Jacob Bowes, who by trade was a manufacturer of furniture. Mrs. Knapp is still living and now makes her home in Los Angeles.

Of the eight children who originally gathered around the parental fireside H. C. Knapp is the eldest and all are living with one exception. Born in Philadelphia February II, 1862, his early years were spent in the public schools of his native city, a later privilege awaiting him in the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1881, having taken the course in mechanical and electrical engineering. With the opening of the next term he matriculated as a student in the post-graduate course, complet- ing it three years later. The following year, 1885, he secured a position with the United States Electric Illuminating Company, working up from the lowest round of the ladder. Such was his devotion to the duties which fell to him that in two years he felt himself in a position to engage in business on his own account, so frugally had he saved his earnings. For one year he engaged in the manufacture of paper boxes in Philadelphia, and after spending one year in Chicago, once more resumed business in his native city.

Mr. Knapp's identification with the west dates from July, 1892, at which time he went to Port- land, Ore., where he became interested financially with the Ainslee Lumber Company. A devastat- ing fire reduced the plant to ashes some time later and he lost all that he had put into it. After this experience he came to California in 1895, locating in San Francisco, where for a time he was in the employ of the Land of Sunshine Company. It was at this point in his career that a favorable opening in the line of his pro- fessional training came to him and he availed himself of the opportunity. As electrical en- gineer he had entire charge of the survey for the first electrical railroad in the Yosemite valley, to run from Merced to Yosemite. How- ever, this railroad was never built. Three years later he went to Los Angeles, and as traveling engineer in the employ of the Anglo-American Company had charge of the company's plants at San Bernardino, Redondo and Phoenix, Ariz., as chief engineer. As assistant chief en- gineer of the Redlands Electrical Company he was stationed at Mill Creek canon for a time, later accepting a position with the San Bernardino Valley Traction Company, his duties consisting

David P. Foss.

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entirely in the installation of new machinery, and he had the honor of running the first car sent out by the company. A later position was with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, where as in his former position he assisted in the instal- lation of the electrical apparatus in the company's new shops. It was in April of 1904 that he assumed the duties of his present position as superintendent of power with the California Portland Cement Company. His wide range of experience in electrical engineering makes his services invaluable to the company, who re- cognize and appreciate this fact in a substantial way.

Mr. Knapp has a pleasant residence in Colton, which is presided over by his capable wife, who before her marriage was Miss Marie Thompson. She was born in Lincoln, Neb., and her marriage was celebrated in San Bernardino. In his poli- tical preferences Mr. Knapp is a Republican, and in his religious connections he is a member of the Episcopal Church, which he is now serv- ing in the capacity of vestryman. The only fraternal order of which he is a member is the Knights of Pythias, while in the line of his profession he holds membership in the American Society of Electrical Engineers.

D. R. FOSS. Although the period of his residence in the San Luis Rey valley was lim- ited to fourteen years, Mr. Foss is remem- bered by all of the older settlers of the region and the regret was universal when death ter- minated his activities. Twenty years have come and gone since he passed away ; new faces and new names betoken the changes which the years in their flight bring to every community ; new towns have sprung up, im- provements have been made possessing per- manent value, and prosperity has set its seal upon the county whose earlier and less pros- perous days were familiar to him. In the midst of these changes his family remain in the community where he lived and labored and where now, as then, they occupy an honored position as pioneers and prominent citizens.

A native of New Hampshire, Mr. Foss was born at Sandwich, November 22, 1832, and at an early age accompanied his family to Maine, where he attended the public schools. On starting out to earn his own livelihood he took up farm pursuits and became the owner of a tract of land in Maine, but this he sold upon deciding to remove to the Pacific coast. His first location in the west was in Marin county, Cal., where he hecame interested in the dairy business and where for a number of years he made his home. From there he went to a ranch in Napa county and afterward con-

ducted a commission business in San Fran- cisco, from which city he came to San Diego county in 1872 and settled in the San Luis Rey valley. From that time he was inter- ested in general farming, stock-raising and the dairy industry, and also he took an active part in local affairs. A leader among the Republi- cans of his locality, he was by them chosen as delegate to the State Republican convention at Sacramento, where he was prominent in the councils of the party. On the party ticket he was elected a member of the county board of supervisors and justice of the peace, both of which positions he filled with intelligence and impartiality. Before coming to Southern Cali- fornia he was identified with the blue lodge of Masonry at Petaluma and later he transferred his membership to the San Diego lodge. In religion he sympathized with the doctrines and work of the Baptist denomination, but was broad in his views and rejoiced in the prosper- ity of every worthy movement, whatever its name and creed. Ere yet old age had come to dim his vision or enfeeble his frame, he passed away in 1886, at the age of fifty-four years.

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A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, also containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present, Volume I, Part 100

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918 Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company Number of Pages: 1184

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company
Number of Pages: 1184