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 116

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

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The oldest child of the parental household, D. Winslow Hunt, was educated in a private school conducted by his father, then entered the med- ical department of the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1871. Settling as a physician in Fairmont. Minn .. he remained there several years, meeting with success in his chosen career. In 1879 he took a course of lec- tures under Dr. Holmes, of Rush Medical Col- lege, on the eye and ear, making this a specialty. In 1887 he came with his family to California. and has since been a resident of this state, and an active general practitioner. Active and in- terested in his professional work, he is constant- ly studying the newer methods known to the medical world, and since his graduation has tak- en two post-graduate courses in medicine and

Imstanden. M. D.

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surgery. For two years he was located in Ana- heim, Orange county, where he built up a good practice, and also conducted a drug store, and for two and one-half years, in order that his children might attend Pomona College, he was engaged in the practice of his profession at Po- mona, Los Angeles county. Leaving here after the death of his wife he returned east and took a post-graduate course in the Post-Graduate School of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago, then practiced two and one-half years in his brother's office in Minnesota in his specialty. Subsequently he returned to California and for three years gave particular attention to his spec- ialty in Redlands. In 1901 he settled in Glen- dale, where he has built up an excellent patron- age, and is known as one of the most influential citizens. In the establishment of all improve- ments he takes deep interest, and was one of the first and most zealous workers in securing the present high school building. He was largely instrumental in getting the right of way for the Electric Interurban Railway, being one of the largest donators to the project, and serving as president of the finance committee. The doctor also assisted in organizing the Bank of Glendale, of which he is vice-president, and one of the di- rectorate.

Dr. Hunt has been twice married. He mar- ried first, Alice M. Skinner, a native of Illinois, who died in Pomona, Cal., and the three chil- dred that blessed their union, Mabel, Leigh and Lois, are also deceased. He married for his sec- ond wife Mrs. Susie Kaler, and they have one child, a daughter named Dorothy. Politically Dr. Hunt is a Republican in national affairs, but in local matters votes without regard to party lines, being true to the courage of his convic- tions. Fraternally he is a Mason, and religious- ly he belongs to the Episcopal church, in which he has served as warden for many years. He is a member of the American Medical Associa- tion, was a charter member of the Minnesota State Medical Society, the Southern California Medical Association and was president of the Pomona Valley Medical Society. He also held that position in the first United States Board of Medical Examiners of Santa Ana, being ap- pointed in 1871 in Martin county, Minn., and holding his connection with the United States Medical Examiners for over twenty years.

JOSEPH M. HOLDEN, M. D. A large and constantly growing practice is the result of the efforts of Dr. Joseph M. Holden, one of the suc- cessful physicians of Long Beach, and one whose work in the line of his profession has brought him general commendation. He has been a resi- dent of California since November, 1892, spend-

ing his first two years in San Francisco, thence coming to Southern California for a few months, and later returning to Sacramento for one year. Following he located in Pasadena, where he remained until the fall of 1899, and while a resident of that place attended the medical de- partment of the University of Southern Califor- nia, from which he was graduated June 16, 1899. with the degree of M. D. Locating at once in Long Beach he was associated for a few months with Dr. J. W. Wood, but from 1901 practiced independently until August 1, 1906. Upon the latter date he formed a partnership with A. C. Sellery, Ph. B., M. D., a graduate of McGill University, of Montreal, Canada, and they es- tablished offices in the National Bank building in Long Beach.

Born in Accrington, Lancashire, England, April 15, 1874, Dr. Holden was reared to the age of five years in his native land, when he was brought by his parents to the United States. His father, James Holden, was a vocalist of some note, but finally retired from his profession, his home now being in Providence, R. I., where the family located when first coming to this coun- try. His wife, formerly Mary A. Newton, a daughter of a prominent contractor of England and granddaughter of the Rev. John Newton, a clergyman of the Church of England, died in California in 1902. Longevity is a characteristic trait in both paternal and maternal families, nearly all members attaining advanced years. Joseph M. Holden received his preliminary ed- ucation in the public schools of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, but was unable to complete the course on account of illness. Determining at the age of fifteen years to make medicine his study he thenceforth bent every effort to the ac- complishment of his plans. After his location in California this desire was consummated and he at once began the practice of his profession. He has met with success and is now numbered among the prominent physicians of this section, being a member of the Southern California Medical Society, the Los Angeles County Medical Asso- ciation. California State Medical Association and American Medical Association. He was the orig- inator and incorporator of the Long Beach Hospital Association, which has a building of sixty-five rooms. Dr. Holden was its first pres- ident and is now one of its principal stock- holders. He acts as examining physician for eight of the old-line insurance companies, and for the Woodmen of the World and Modern Woodmen of America, in both of which he holds membership. He also belongs to Long Beach Lodge No. 327, F. & A. M .; Long Beach Lodge N. 888 B. P. O. E. : Knights of Pythias, belong- ing to the Uniform Rank: and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is very prominent

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in fraternal circles and holds a high place in the various organizations to which he belongs.

Dr. Holden was married in Long Beach to Lil- lian A. Caswell, a native of Massachusetts, and a woman of culture and refinement. He is iden- tified with the growth and advancement of Long Beach, in whose future he holds a firm belief and has invested his means in various pieces of property. He built the first house on American avenue near the site of the high school, and is now erecting a fine residence, which is in castle architecture and very unique, at No. 915 Amer- ican avenue; the entire building is of cement, and contains eight large rooms and hall, two stories in height. Dr. Holden is a stockholder in the Odd Fellows' Building Association and takes an active interest in the development of the city. He is a man of scholarly tastes and has a select library, while his love for travel has been gratified by three trips to England, the land of his birth, and extensive tours throughout the southern states.

HENRY FULLER. Bryn Mawr is fortu- nate in the possession of citizens whose efforts to maintain and develop the best interests of the place lie parallel with their efforts toward a personal success, and prominent among such is Henry Fuller, known, honored and esteemed throughout this section of Southern California. The characteristics which have distinguished his career are an inheritance from an old eastern family on the paternal side, and a New Eng- land ancestry on the maternal side. He was born in Peru, Clinton county, N Y., January 6, 1846, a son of James and Elmira (Mills) Fuller, both natives of Vermont, the father dying in Peru, N. Y., after a life spent in farming, and the moth- er in Los Angeles, Cal. They were the parents of three children, a daughter, Mrs. Nathan Weaver, living in Peru, N. Y., where a son, Ed- ward, died.

In the public schools of his native town Henry Fuller was prepared for higher training, after which he became a student in the Plattsburg Academy. At the close of his schooldays he be- gan farming for a livelihood, and on the 10th of September, 1867, he married Miss Helen Day. She was also a native of Peru, N. Y., and a daughter of Edward and grand-daughter of Rufus, both farmers of New York, where they both passed away at advanced ages. The pater- nal great-grandfather, Ezra, born in Connecti- cut of English ancestry, served in the Revolu- tionary war while his son, Rufus, was a patriot in the war of 1812. The old Day homestead in New York is still in the family. Edward Day married Maria Sturtevant, a native of Westport. N. Y., and a daughter of Elisha Sturtevant, of

Holland-Dutch descent, her mother being before marriage Miss Wright, a daughter of the General Wright of Revolutionary fame. Mrs. Day passed away in Los Angeles, leaving a family of three children, namely : Mrs. Stafford, of Los Angeles ; Charles E., a merchant of Los Angeles, who died in 1902; and Helen, Mrs. Fuller, the eldest, who was educated in the North Granville Seminary.

The year following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Fuller located in Vergennes, Vt., where he engaged in a mercantile enterprise and also the manufacture of excelsior. June 16, 1875, they came to the Pacific coast and in Los An- geles, Cal., Mr. Fuller established a wholesale manufacturing business on Elmira street, manu- facturing furniture, and was later located on North Main street, then engaging in a retail business at No. 313 South Main street. For some years the firm had been known as Fuller & Day, but at the time of the removal to South Main street it was changed to Henry Fuller & Co. In 1896 Mr. Fuller sold out this business interest, and having in the meantime (1890) made a trip to Redlands he purchased the proper- ty which has since been made one of the most beautiful homes in Southern California. It was then wild, sage-brush land, with no promise of such magnificent development, but in 1896 he began its cultivation and improvement, erecting a fine residence, barns and outbuildings, and finally adding to the original purchase of twenty acres a tract of fifty acres. This makes a seventy- acre ranch, of which thirty acres are in navel oranges and forty acres in valencias, one of the finest groves in Bryn Mawr, lying on a beauti- ful slope of the foothills, and overlooking the whole of San Bernardino valley.

The birth of four children blessed the marriage of Mr. Fuller and his wife: Percy, an attorney- at-law in San Francisco; Harry, connected with the Fruit Dispatch Company of Columbus, Ohio, where he resides; Leslie, a student in Pomona College, class of 1907; and Charles, a student in the same institution, class of 1910. Both Mr. Fuller and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Redlands, whose charities are liberally supported by both their means and time. They are especially interested in foreign missions, and are individually maintaining three missionaries, one in Tokio, Japan, and two in India, while their Sunday-school class supports seven others in this noble work. Mr. Fuller is an enterprising and progressive citizen and takes an active and helpful interest in matters of public import. He votes the Republican ticket and gives his support to the principles he en- dorses. He has made two trips around the world and one to the Orient, the first being in 1902, when with his son Leslie he circumnavigated the glohe ; he made the trip to the Orient in 1905;

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and in 1906 with his wife he went to England and over the European continent, his wife re- turning to the United States and he continuing around the world and returning home by the Pacific. He has written many interesting articles on his journeyings especially as regards missions, with which he is constantly in touch. The citi- zenship of Mr. Fuller has been such as to win for him a high place among the representative men of Southern California, where he is held in universal esteem both for his business acumen and his personal qualities of character.

NELS OTTO TORSTENSON. After a con- siderable experience in various occupations on May 1, 1899, Mr. Torstenson accepted an appoint- ment as ranger, from which May 5, 1902, he was promoted to be chief of the rangers. In this capacity he had the oversight of twenty-two men and a district aggregating seven hundred and fifty thousand acres, forming what is known as the San Bernardino forest reserve. The duties of the position obliged him to spend much of his time on horseback and to inspect all points on the mountains where it was possible for a man to go; hence the occupation was fatiguing, yet such was his vitality and such his power of endurance that he performed the work with ease and unwearied alacrity. In September 1906, he was appointed to investigate and report upon the San Luis Obispo and Monterey forest re- serves, accomplishing the work during October and November. In December he was permanent- ly transferred as ranger in charge of the Monte- rey reserve and appointed supervisor of it and the Pinacles reserve on December 31, 1907.

Early in life Mr. Torstenson was qualified for forestry work through a course of training in the government forest schools of Sweden, where also he received an excellent education in common and high schools. A native of the southern district of Sweden, he was born at Helsingborg near the sound, January 13, 1860, his father, Olaf, having married Elna Mattison, a native of that region, where they passed many years and reared their children. At the age of fifteen years Mr. Torstenson was confirmed in the Lutheran Church. On starting out to earn his livelihood he was employed by a prominent business man of the town, with whom he re- mained for two years as private secretary, and then clerked in a store for three years. During the next eighteen months he studied in a college of forestry, after which for five years he acted as forester on private estates of Swedish gentle- men.

On coming to the United States and landing in New York November 19, 1886, Mr. Torsten- son proceeded to Chicago and from there to

lowa, where he worked on a farm forty miles east of Sioux City. A year later he came to California, arriving at San Diego on the day before Christmas in 1887, and since then he has resided in the state. After a brief experience as a carpenter in San Diego, June of 1888 found him engaged as an employe in a sawmill in the San Jacinto mountains, where he remained for two years. Next he went to San Francisco and took up carpentering but soon left that city for Duncan Mills, where he was employed at mill work. Returning from there to San Francisco, he shortly afterward met the foreman of the Riverside Box and Tray Company and engaged to accompany him to Riverside. For nearly two years he worked in that company's factory. During 1891 he located a homestead on the mountains, and in 1894 began to work as a carpenter at Squirrel Inn, where he remained until 1899, meanwhile building many of the most attractive cottages at the resort. Eventually he gave up carpentering in order to accept a position on the forestry reserve, as previously mentioned. Few men in the west are more thoroughly con- versant with the forestry business than he, and his judgment is sought in problems connected with the care and preservation of the forests.

For some years after coming to California Mr. Torstenson remained a bachelor, but October 22, 1898, he established domestic ties, being then united with Dora M. Rasmussen, daughter of Nels and Siveline Catherine (Benson) Rasmus- sen; Mrs. Torstenson was born May 9, 1880, in Kolding, Denmark, a short distance north of the present German kingdom of Schleswig. Her death occurred October 17, 1900, in their San Bernardino home, since which time her only child, Elna Dora (born July 26, 1899) has been cared for in the home of Mrs. Hanson, at Sky- land. The only fraternal organization to which Mr. Torstenson belongs is the Masons, in which he was initiated during his sojourn in Iowa, after- ward transferring his membership to the blue lodge at San Bernardino, and since coming to the west he has risen to the Red Cross degree in the order.

T. V. DODD. Prominent among the intelli- gent and progressive men who have been influ- ential in advancing the educational interests of San Diego county is T. V. Dodd, of Oceanside. A pioneer resident of this place, he takes a gen- uine interest in promoting its welfare, aiding its growth in all possible ways, heartily endorsing and supporting all beneficial projects.

A son of Thomas M. Dodd, he was born, Sep- tember 28, 1842, in Cincinnati, Ohio, where his earlier years were passed. His father was born in Pennsylvania, but in early manhood settled as

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a contractor and builder in Cincinnati, Ohio. He married Adeline McSusan, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio., and also died there. The father died at the advanced age of ninety years. They had a large family, twelve children being born of their union.

Brought up in Cincinnati, T. V. Dodd received his early education in the city schools, after which he attended the college at Moores Hill, Ind., and the State Normal School at Terre Haute, that state. Thus well prepared for a professional career he taught school at Madison, Ind., meeting with much success. Going then to Lawrence- burg, Ind., he served as superintendent of schools in that place for six years. Feeling then the need of a change of residence and occupation, he came to California in 1887, locating in Ocean- side, which was then a mere hamlet, its present prosperous condition then being scarcely dreamed of. The first piece of land which Mr. Dodd bought after coming here he sold, making some money in the transaction. He subsequently pur- chased his present home place, and in its im- provement has spared neither time nor expense. A fine horticulturist and florist, he engaged in the muirsury business for two years, and has at the present time more than one thousand varieties of plant life on his ranch, and one of the finest botanical gardens to be found in Southern Cal- :fornia. Again resuming his former occupa- tion, Mr. Dodd was employed in teaching near the old Mission for four years. He afterwards taught two years in Oceanside, six years at Chul- avista, two years at South Oceanside, and is now engaged in his botanical work.

In 1869 Mr. Dodd married Catherine Cope, who was born in Indiana, of English ancestry, and they have one son, Rev. Arthur C. Dodd, who is a post graduate of the divinity school in San Mateo.

ROBERT HICKS. A half-mile west of El Monte is located the ranch owned by Robert Hicks, one of the enterprising citizens of the community and a man of stanch integrity and honor. He came to California on Christmas day, 1886, in the vigor of young manhood, with nothing but the qualities inherited from sturdy and enterprising English and Scotch ancestry to aid him in the pursuit of a livelihood. Locating in El Monte within a few years he had accum- ulated sufficient means to enable him to purchase property, to which he has continued to add until today he is one of the prosperous citizens of the community. Mr. Hicks is a native of Franklin county, Ark., born January 12. 1856, the eldest of two sons and three daughters born to his parents, Robert and Abigail (Bonrland) Hicks. The father was born in Breathitt county, Ky., a son

of Robert Hicks, who removed from Virginia to Kentucky in the early days of its statehood and engaged as a farmer until his death. In 1854 the younger Robert Hicks removed to Franklin county, Ark., improved a farm from the timber lands and died on the home place in 1882. Al- though of southern birth and lineage he was a stanch Union man and was made to suffer by the secessionists in his locality; he served at Fort Smith in the commissary department, while his son Isaac was a teamster in the Union army. The mother, who also died in Arkansas, was a native of Alabama and a daughter of John Bourland, a farmer and stockman of that state, who later removed to Franklin county, Ark.

Robert Hicks was reared on the paternal farm in Arkansas and educated in the public schools after the close of the war, during which struggle the family were harassed by the rebels, who at one time attempted to frighten him into telling where the provisions of the farm were secreted by threats of hanging. He remained at home until attaining his majority, after which he at- tended White Oak Academy, of Franklin county, to complete his academic course. Later he re- ceived the appointment of deputy sheriff of Franklin county under Dick Shores, and served for one term. Coming to California in 1886 he entered the employ of L. J. Rose, a ranchman in the vicinity of El Monte located on a nine hun- dred and seventy-six-acre tract and after twelve months he became foreman, a position which he held for nine years. He then resigned to en- gage in farming for himself, purchasing fourteen acres of the property he now owns, continuing to add to it until he now owns thirty acres in this piece, located on the Los Angeles and San Bernardino road, all in walnuts, and bringing him good financial returns each year.

In Ozark, Ark., February 12, 1891, Mr. Hicks married Miss Serena Jeffers, who was born there the daughter of Daniel Jeffers. The ancestors of the Jeffers family were early settlers in Virginia. where the name flourished for generations. Dan- iel Jeffers was a native of Kentucky and an early settler in Arkansas. Both before and after the war he engaged as a farmer and merchant, but is now living retired in Franklin county, re- taining his health and faculties at the age of seventy-two years. In Masonic circles he is prom- ment and in religion is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. He married Martha Stanley, who was born in Virginia, a daughter of Solomon Stanley, who died in that state many years ago. Mrs. Jeffers still survives. She be- came the mother of eleven children, of whom ten are now living, Mrs. Hicks being the second in order of birth and the only one in California. She was educated in White Oak Academy, in Franklin county, and after her marriage came to

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California with her husband. They became the parents of four children, namely: Harry, Stan- ley, Raymond, who died at the age of three years and four months, and Mildred.

Mr. Hicks is independent in his views on poli- tics, reserving the right to cast his ballot for the man whom he considers best qualified for official service. He is a strong temperance man, and stands for law and order at all times. He is now serving as deputy sheriff under Mr. White while he served as trustee of the Savannah school for one term. Both himself and wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he officiates as elder, trustee and steward.

HENRY W. MILLS, M. R. C. S. & L. R. C. P., London. The civilization of the twentieth century places first-class hospital service among the necessities of all progres- sive cities. No era has devoted as much at- tention to the scientific and sanitary care of the sick as has the present age, and in this respect Southern California has not proved remiss in duty, for her hospitals rank with the finest in the United States. Marlborough hospital, which was established at San Ber- nardino in January, 1904, by Dr. Mills, for- merly of England, is one of the recent addi- tion to the hospital equipment of the state, but already holds a position among the most popular and efficient. On the corner of Fourth and F streets stands the building which has been fitted up for a hospital, with per- fect ventilation, sanitary appointments, sub- stantial furnishings and large rooms equipped with everything necessary for the purpose in- tended. Every facility has been supplied for the most intricate and important surgical op- erations, and treatment by asepticism is strict- ly followed.

Dr. Mills is a native of England, his birth having occurred in Herefordshire in 1872; in King Edward VI grammar school he pre- pared for higher training and later availed himself of excellent classical advantages. Hav- ing early resolved to follow the medical pro- fession he took a complete course in the Roy- al College of Physicians and Surgeons of London, graduating therefrom in 1895, and having bestowed upon him by his alma mater the titles of M. R. C. S. and L. R. C. P., of England. After having completed his studies in college Dr. Mills practiced in Gloucester- shire in the vicinity of his early home, and there he gradually established an important clientele, rising to a position of local promi- nence as a skilled practitioner, successful diag- nostician and especially as a first-class ab- dominal surgeon. For eight years he re-

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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 116

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