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 118

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

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REV. JOHN MUNRO, LL. D. This es- teemed clergyman, pastor of the First Presby- terian Church of Fernando, is a man of educa- tion and culture, and bears fitly and well the name of Christian. He is a deep thinker, an eloquent preacher, and as broad and liberal in his spirit as he is sincere and devout in his convictions. A native of Canada, he was born, November 2, 1874, in the province of Ontario, where he grew to man's estate. On leaving the public schools he continued his studies at Queen's College, in Kingston, Ontario, subsequently taking his theo- logical course at Manitoba University, in Winni- peg. from which he was graduated in 1898.

For a year after his graduation Dr. Munro was located in British Columbia, serving under the Home Missionary Board. The ensuing three years he had charge of the Knox Presbyterian Church at Trail, where he performed meritorious work in the Master's vineyard. Coming then to California, the doctor became assistant pastor of the Olivet Congregational Church in Los Angeles, remaining there a year. In 1902 he ac- cepted his present call to Fernando, and has had a most successful pastorate. Under his ad- ministration the society has prospered in all of

its departments, great interest has been aroused, and the church edifice, in consequence, has been remodeled inside and out, and a fine parsonage has been erected. The membership of church and society has been largely increased, and throughout the community the influence of the pastor is felt and appreciated.

In 1902 Dr. Munro married Ella Heinzeman, who was born, reared and educated in California, and they have one child, a daughter, whom they have named Antoinette. Politically the doctor is a Republican. Fraternally he was made a Mason in British Columbia, and is now a member and past worthy master of Fernando Lodge No. 343, F. & A. M., a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, and he is also a member and past noble grand of Fernando Lodge No. 365, I. O. O. F.

GEORGE D. BARRON. As superintendent of the Lynwood dairy, Compton, George D. Bar- ron is widely and favorably known throughout a large territory. A man of push and energy, possessing business ability, tact and judgment, he has met with good success as manager of one of the largest concerns of the kind in Los An- geles county, giving satisfaction to his employer and being popular with his patrons. A native of Illinois, he was born October 2, 1845, in Mc- Henry county, a son of Francis Barron.

Born and brought up in Canada, Francis Barron migrated to the United States in early manhood settling in McHenry county, Ill., on a farm. In 1850 he came to California on a prospecting tour, and for four years was here employed in mining. Going home to his family in 1854, he carried on general farming in Illi- nois for eight years. Then, in 1862, he came again to the coast, bringing his family and locat- ing in San Joaquin county. Nine years later he located in Ventura county, making his home there until 1883, that year coming to Los An- geles county, where his death occurred at the advanced age of eighty-six years. His wife, whose maiden name was Emily Perry, was born in Canada, and died in Los Angeles at the age of seventy-nine years. Both she and her husband came from families noted for their longevity, many of them living far beyond the allotted three score years and ten of man's life. Of the six children born of their union, five are living, one daughter, the eldest of the family, having passed away at the age of seventy-one years.

Sixteen years old when he came with his parents to California. George D. Barron assisted his father in improving a good ranch, remain- ing at home until 1869. The following four- teen years he was engaged in ranching and dairy- ing in Ventura county. Coming from there to Los Angeles county in 1883, he engaged in ranch-

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ing and dairy business from that year until 1899, when he accepted his present responsible position with Mr. Sessions, of Los Angeles, proprietor of the Lynwood diary. Under Mr. Barron's able management during the past six years the business has been greatly extended and the pat- ronage largely increased.

Mr. Barron has been twice married, his first marriage uniting him with Phebe Woods, a native of Illinois, who at her death a few years later left one child, Clare M. Mr. Barron mar- ried for his second wife Hannah Smith, also a native of Illinois, and five children have been born of this marriage, namely ; Eva L; Elmer LeRoy, Grace Edith, Alda Viola and Bertha J. Politi- cally Mr. Barron is an uncomprising Republican, and for four seasons served acceptably as deputy assessor of Los Angeles county. He is a believer in the creed of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he and his family attend.

RICHARD HARRISON GARLAND, one of the first settlers of the colony which formed the nucleus for the city of Redlands, was born in Zanesville, Ohio, July 22, 1842. He was a son of Andrew Garland, a stonemason by trade, who superintended the building of Fort Sumter. which his son helped to retake during the Civil war after it had fallen into the hands of the Confederates. The elder man removed to Ohio and in Mount Vernon engaged extensively in stock-raising and general farming until his death, which occurred in 1873. Richard H. Garland was reared in Ohio and at the breaking out of the Civil war enlisted in Company A, Sixty-fifth Ohio Infantry, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Perrysville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge; at the last named battle his brigade cap- tured the battery in front of Bragg's headquarters and turned a part of it upon the enemy. Short- ly afterward Mr. Garland was assigned to the eastern army and acted as quartermaster until the close of the war, having been disabled some time before. On the re-organization of the army after the close of hostilities, he took service in the Freedman's Bureau, an agency of the war department for disbursing claims and establish- ing free schools in the south. Later he was transferred to the Pacific coast with the staff of General Thomas and was present at the time of the latter's death in San Francisco.

In 1870 Mr. Garland retired to private life and went to Chicago, Ill., where he engaged in the manufacture of art furniture and interior decorations for a number of years. He invented a motor car that was propelled by a series of springs: the patent for this was applied for in 1884 and granted January 27, 1885. In 1886.

however, when he became interested with the famous Chicago colony in founding a town in Southern California, he gave all his attention to this scheme and his time to the improvement of his orange ranch in East Redlands and further- ing the interests of his new surroundings un- til the time of his demise. This colony was formed in Chicago and immediately sent out an investigating committee to purchase the land, their selection being what is now East Red- lands and seventeen acres for a town site, which is now the business portion of the city, each mem- ber to have one lot in the town site. Mr. Gar- land received a lot on West State street, and this he deeded to his wife. Seven months later she sold for $1,400 what he had bought for $25. They located on the property still owned by his family and here Mr. Garland made many im- provements, clearing the property, filling arroyos, building flumes, setting out orange trees, etc., on his own and surrounding lands. Mr. Garland always took a great deal of interest in the af- fairs of Redlands and was a director of the Chamber of Commerce and for four years a member of the board of trustees.

The death of Mr. Garland occurred May 27, 1898, removing from the community one of its most earnest and helpful citizens. He was a true-blue Republican in politics and although never desirous of personal recognition along this line still gave his attention and influence to the advancement of the principles he endorsed. He was a Scottish Rite Thirty-second Degree mason. A widow and two children still survive him. His wife was formerly Miss Margaret McGovern, who was born in New Haven, Conn., but while still young removed to Chicago, Ill., where she was married in 1871. She was the fifth in a fam- ily of nine children, of whom three are now living, a brother, John, having been killed in the battle of the Chattahoochie river, in the Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, during the Civil war. Since her husband's death Mrs. Garland has continued to reside on the home place and at the present time has one of the most remunerative groves in that section.

JUDGE CHARLES T. GIFFORD. The official life of Redlands has in Judge Charles T. Gifford one of its most efficient members, as justice of the peace and city recorder giving his attention to his duties with a fidelity which has won him universal commendation. He is a native of New York, his birth having occurred in Rochester June 24, 1851 ; his father, Thomas S., was born in Massachusetts of an old New England family, was a pattern maker by trade, and after removing to New York engaged as a baggage man on the New York Central Rail-

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road, from Rochester to Syracuse, and later as conductor from Syracuse to Buffalo. He was killed on the railroad near Syracuse in 1859. He is survived by his wife, formerly Harriet Sey- mour Norton, a native of Vermont, and a dangh- ter of Seymour and Fannie ( Stevens-) Norton, both natives of Vermont and early settlers of Genesee county, N. Y., where the father en- gaged in farming.

Charles T. Gifford spent the first seven years of his life in Rochester, two years in Syracuse, and then removed to Buffalo, where he received a preliminary education in the public and high schools, when he entered Cornell University as a member of the first class after the opening of the institution. In his senior year he was taken ill and because of impaired health he gave up study and accepted a position as clerk in Buffalo with E. G. Felthousen. In 1888 he came to Cali- fornia, going from San Francisco to Fresno, and the following year to Redlands, here entering the employ of Judson & Brown, of the Bear Valley Irrigating Company, in the capacity of clerk, and later represented them in Alessandro valley in the inspection of the pipe line. Returning to Redlands he engaged in the insurance business, representing the old-line companies, and has served as notary public for sixteen years. In the spring of 1902 he was appointed justice of the peace and elected to that office in the follow- ing fall, and re-elected in the fall of 1906, which duties he is now discharging. He was also ap- pointed city recorder in 1902 and has held the office ever since. He is also engaged in the in- surance business, which he has continued since his return to the city in 1895.

In Redlands Judge Gifford was united in mar- riage with Mrs. Emma F. (Piper) Hale, a na- tive of Connecticut, and they are members of the First Congregational Church of this city. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks and with the Odd Fellows, having been made a member of this organization in Redlands Lodge No. 341, I. O. O. F., where he is now a member. He is a strong Repub- lican and was secretary of county central com- mittee for two terms. He is identified with the city's advancement as a member of the Board of Trade and no citizen is more active in his efforts to promote the general welfare.

CAPT. JOHN HAMILTON. Off the rug- ged shores of western Scotland where the tem- pestuous waters of the Atlantic beating against the rock-bound coast are subdued into a gentle murmur as they enter the Firth of Clyde, there lies the island of Arran, the birthplace of Captain Hamilton. From its narrow inlet his father, William. and grandfather also sailed the ships of

which they were masters, and on the same island still lives his mother, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Mathie, and to whom Destiny has given an active life of eighty-two years. The eldest of a family of four children, John Hamil- ton was born April 10, 1848, and at the age of thirteen began to accompany his father to the sea during the summer voyages. When he was six- teen he lost his father by death and soon after- ward his mother sold her interest in the schooners which obliged him to seek employment of others. Thereupon he became an apprentice to the ship carpenter's trade, at which he served for five years, and then sailed the seas in the West Indies and Newfoundland trade. After having spent the summer of 1873 in Toronto during the fall of the same year he took passage from New York for Panama and thence to San Francisco, where he was employed as ship carpenter for a year. In 1875 he went to sea as carpenter on the Commodore and later had a similar position on the Grace Darling. In August of 1876 he was made mate on the steamer Continental, sail- ing to the Eel river, and while filling that posi- tion, December 12, 1877, he was wrecked on Eel river bar. Later he was employed as mate on the Thomas H. Whitelaw to the Eel river. During 1879 he was mate on the Eudora, which engaged in the seal trade, and the following year, as captain of the Ariel, he engaged in hunting seal.

After having spent the year 1882 in the Mexi- can and Central American trade as captain of the schooner John Hancock, in 1883 Captain Hamilton became master of the Challenge (built at Eureka), which he ran to San Pedro for four years. In June of 1887 he went to San Fran- cisco and superintended the building of the steamer Pasadena, which afterward he ran as master for fifteen years. In 1902 he superin- tended the building of the San Gabriel at Ala- meda for the same company that built the Pasa- dena. When the San Gabriel was completed he became its master and continued in that capacity until the spring of 1904, when he accepted his present position as government pilot at San Pedro. Besides the vessels already mentioned he had charge of the building of the Hesper, dimensions thirty-five feet long, nine feet wide, four feet deep, operated by a sixteen horse power standard engine.

The marriage of Captain Hamilton took place at Ferndale, Humboldt county, and united him with Miss Lois Augusta Chapin, who was born and reared at that place. Two sons comprise their family, namely : Kenneth, a graduate of the Lick school and University of California, and now teller of the Berkeley National Bank, and one of the proprietors of the Marine supply Manufacturing Company of San Pedro; and

Mrs Geo Sibley

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Bruce, who remains at home. The family resi- dence for some years has been at Alameda. In politics Captain Hamilton supports the Republi- can party. Fraternally he was made a Mason before leaving his native land and is now a mem- ber of Humboldt Lodge No. 79, F. & A. M .; Humboldt Chapter No. 52, R. A. M .; Eureka Commandery No. 35, K. T., and Cornelia Lodge No. 63, Order of the Eastern Star, at Humboldt.

MRS. GEORGE W. SIBLEY. Sidney Smith once said, "Whatever you are from nature, keep to it; never desert your own line of talent. Be what nature intended you for and you will succeed; be anything else, and you will be ten thousand times worse than nothing." In her pres- ent active career Mrs. Sibley has shown that she understands fully the thought of this witty divine, for she has measured accurately her own ability, and hewn her way straight to the line thus marked out. A clear-headed, brainy woman previously interested to some extent in realty transactions, she early perceived the great finan- cial possibilities of the future in the develop- ment of Venice and Ocean Park property, and, quick to seize every offered opportunity for en- larging her scope of action, she began dealing in local real estate on a modest scale, and has since established an extensive and lucrative busi- ness, being now at the head of the Citizens' State Bank and the Guarantee Realty Company, the latter one of the most prosperous firms of the kind along the entire length of the beach. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, she was born August 25, 1858, a daughter of Alfred and Laura (Foote) Bright, both natives of Ohio, the former dying at an early age, while the latter came to California in 1902 and has since made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Sibley.

After living in retirement in the east for a few years, Mrs. Taft came, in June, 1891, to Califor- nia being accompanied by her daughter, Irene Taft, who is an own cousin to Secretary William H. Taft, her father, Henry W. Taft, having been uncle to the Secretary. Settling in Los Angeles, she lived quietly for several years, the genial sunshine and balmy breezes of its wonderful climate being of great benefit to her. On De- cember 25. 1891, she married George W. Sib- ley. then engaged in business as a wholesale merchant in Los Angeles. In May, 1900, Mrs. Sibley came to Ocean Park to recuperate and after a season of perfect relaxation and rest, the tonic of the sea breezes and the sea baths re- stored her physical vitality, making her strong and vigorous. Ambitious to find an opportunity for making herself useful, she started in the real estate business in a small way, having about $50 to invest. Opening an office in Ocean Park.

business grew steadily, her fair and honest deal- ings and systematic methods meeting the ap- proval of her customers, and each month saw an increasing patronage, her sex being a help rather than an impediment in the way of enlarging her business opportunities. A woman of superior ability, tact and judgment, living up to the Golden Rule, she has secured a large clientage, and is now one of the foremost real estate dealers in this part of Los Angeles county. While looking after her own interests, she has been of much use in ad- vancing the prosperity of others, including a large circle of personal friends, merchants, me- chanics and professional men. The business which Mrs. Sibley inaugurated in 1901 grew to such large proportions that she found it expe- dient to have it incorporated. Accordingly, March 15, 1905, the Guarantee Realty Company was formed, with the following-named officers : President, Mrs. George W. Sibley ; first vice- president, H. V. Bright; second vice-president, Dr. E. B. Goodwin: secretary, James F. Barr, and treasurer, Charles R. Van Tillburg. This company was first located at No. 140 Pier avenue Ocean Park, but has recently removed to more commodious quarters in the handsome building erected by the company in Venice. In May, 1906, she organized the Citizens' State Bank of Venice with a capital stock of $25,000, of which she is president. Mrs. Sibley had one daughter by her first marriage, Irene, now wife of Howard S. Lorenge, living near Ocean Park, and by her second union she has also one daughter, Louella Maria Sibley. Mrs. Sibley is prominent in social circles, being a member of the Country Club. and President of the Ladies' Auxiliary of Ocean Park and Venice.

FREDERICK A. SMILEY. Of recent years especial attention has been devoted to the de- velopment of attractive summer resorts. Each season finds an increasing number of Califor- nians who lay aside the cares of business and the round of domestic duties or school work in order to enjoy for a few weeks an outing in some favored spot of nature, fanned by the breezes from the ocean, sheltered by mountains and watered by springs and rivers. Not the least conspicuous among these resorts is Fredalba Park, comprising two hundred and sixty-two acres of land covered with native oaks and pines, some of which are eighteen feet and more in circumference. The park is situated on the southern slope of the San Bernardino mountains, fifty-six hundred feet above the level of the sea. at the head of the City creek toll-road, eleven miles from Highland, and sixteen miles from both San Bernardino and Redlands. The most direct route from these towns to Bear valley lies

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through the park. Admirable views may be obtained from the mountains of neighboring towns, and on especially clear days Catalina comes within the range of vision.

The sole owner and proprietor of Fredalba Park is F. A. Smiley, who makes his home here throughout the entire year and devotes his at- tention to the care of the grounds and cottages and to the comfort of the guests. The cottages are constructed of matched and planed sugar pine, with interior finishings of natural wood. Suitably furnished for light housekeeping, they are rented by the day, week or month, while for such as prefer to board a central dining hall affords the best of accommodations. Each cot- tage is piped with water from mountain springs, while another spring furnishes pure cold water in the park, convenient to the houses. The climate is delightful throughout the summer, a south wind cooling the air during the daytime. Guests who are fond of fishing find opportunity for the use of their tackle in Deep creek, where mountain trout may be caught in season, while excursions are also made to Bear creek, the best fishing place in the mountains. The Brook- ings Lumber Company has its mill at Fredalba, with several miles of railroad bringing lumber there from the woods. In addition to these ob- jects of interest, guests may drive to Holcomb valley and its gold mines, or to Bear valley and other points. A postoffice is located in the park, and Mr. Smiley has acted as postmaster ever since February, 1896, when he received the ap- pointment under President Cleveland. From the Ist of April throughout the balance of the year the mail stage leaves Highland at 7:30 in the morning and leaves Fredalba at 3:30 in the af- ternoon of the same day except Sunday. During the balance of the year the mail is carried only on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Adequate accom- modations are provided for the convenience of guests in meeting the trains at Highland and making the short overland trip to the park.

The original owner of Fredalba Park was Alfred H. Smiley, father of the present owner. The grounds were purchased by him in. 1895 from the Highland Lumber and Box Company and the tourist business was inaugurated the following year, since which time fifteen cottages have been erected for the accommodation of sum- mer visitors. Each season finds an increasing number of visitors seeking the quiet of the great trees and the mountain air, and the enterprise has been placed upon a substantial basis through the attractions of the resort, supplemented by the courteous oversight of the proprietor. Alfred H. Smiley, the former owner, was born at Vas- salboro, Me., and came to California in 1889, set- tling at Pasadena, but two months later remov- ing to Redlands, where he died January 5, 1903.

at the age of seventy-four years. His wife bore the maiden name of Rachel Mott Swan and was a native of New Sharon, Me. Their son, Fred- erick A., was born in Iowa, and has made his home at Fredalba Park ever since the resort was first established, hence has acquired a thorough understanding of the business with its needs and responsibilities. During boyhood he lived in his native city of Oskaloosa, Mahaska county, Iowa. His wife, like himself, is a native of Iowa; she was born at Cedar Falls, Blackhawk county, being in maidenhood Eva Wyatt, daughter of J. Howard and Lizzie (Shepard) Wyatt. Born of their marriage were five children, namely : Howard, now at the Herman Free Methodist School near Los Angeles; William Eugene, Gertrude, Rachel and Martha. Upon the or- ganization of the Fredalba public-school system in 1901 Mr. Smiley became a member of the board of trustees, in which capacity he has since rendered efficient and indefatigable services. As a representative of one of the most honored fam- ilies of Redlands and as the possessor of high mental endowments, Mr. Smiley occupies a trusted and prominent position in his county.

D. C. McGARVIN. It is worthy of note that there is a large number of young men active in the professions, in business circles and in public affairs in Los Angeles; and certainly the city's rapid growth is due in no small de- gree to their enterprise. Among the public of- ficials who are building up enviable reputations, mention belongs to D. C. McGarvin, at present filling the position of public administrator. Al- though a native of Kansas, born March 29, 1870, so much of Mr. McGarvin's life has been passed in this city that he feels himself to be a trite son of Southern California. His father, Robert McGarvin, came to California in 1875, and in the public and high schools of Los An- geles the son received his education. The knotty problems of the law proved an attraction to the mental powers of young McGarvin and after the completion of his work in the public schools he took up the study of law in the office of Judge A. W. Hutton. Later he was associated with Judge York and Hon. James McLachlan, and in June, 1905, he was admitted to the bar. In the meantime, in 1903, he was elected to the office of public administrator for a term of four years, and immediately entering upon the work of his position he has faithfully discharged the duties incumbent upon him to the present time. He had previously proved both his ability as a public official and his loyalty to the principles of the Republican party, and had become a prominent man in its councils. As secretary of the Young Men's Republican League he was active in the

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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 118

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