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 125

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

USA > California > 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 125

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

830

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

& Steele, they carried on a large wholesale flour business in Pittsburg.

Great as had been his success in the east, it was perhaps with even larger opportunities before him that he came to California in 1886 and in 1893 assumed the presidency of the First National Bank of Colton, an institution which had been established in 1886 by Messrs. Davis and Davis, the latter his son-in-law. Upon the death of J. W. Davis, Jr., in August, 1893, he was also made president of the San Bernardino Na- tional Bank, and the present stability of both of these institutions is due in large measure to the unerring judgment and keen foresight of Mr. Roberts. His many-sided nature made him a power and influence wherever he chose to make his home, and his optimistic nature was invariably an inspiration to those who came in contact with him. Besides his in- terest in various business enterprises. in San Bernardino he was the owner of considerable real estate and was the largest stockholder in the company owning the Stewart block. Aside from his banking interests, however, he was probably best known as one of the most en- thusiastic horticulturists in the county, and at the time of his death he owned large orange groves in Colton, Highland and San Bernar- dino, the most of which he had improved from raw, uncultivated land.

Mr. Roberts' first wife died in Cambria, Wis., in 1867. leaving two children, Jennie E., now the widow of J. W. Davis, Jr., and Ed- ward D., a sketch of the latter being given elsewhere in this volume. While in the east, in 1883, Mr. Roberts was married to Winifred Evans, a descendant of Welsh ancestors and a native of Lewis county, N. Y. Of this mar- riage two children were born, John Walter and Richard Evan, both residing in Redlands, which is also the home of their mother. Through -. out his life Mr. Roberts had supported the principles of the Republican party. In his well-rounded character religion mingled harmoniously with other lofty attributes of mind and his membership in the Congrega- tional Church of San Bernardino was but the outward symbol of the white light of purity and truth which actuated him in his high and noble aims. He passed from earth January 9. 1903, but the memory of his noble life will ever remain, a priceless heritage to his family and an inspiration to the rising generation.

DOC WILSON. The association of Doc Wilson with the largest gem company of San Diego gives him prominence as one of the suc- cessful business men of this city. He has made

his business a special study and is probably the best posted and most practical gem cutter and miner in the city. He has not been a resident of the state many years, having located here in 1900. At Cuyamaca he engaged with Dr. Schroeder, now of Arizona, who was one of the original incorporators of the San Diego Gem Company, which was incorporated in 1901, and was one of the five men active in its organization, and now owns the controlling interest in the busi- ness. Mr. Wilson was born in Cook, Johnson county, Neb., July 9, 1880, the only child of his parents. His father, D. J. Wilson, was born in East Genoa, N. Y., a son of John Jessop Wilson, also a farmer of New York, where his death oc- curred. He was a prominent citizen and faith- ful to the interests of his country, having served as a commissioned officer in a New York regi- ment during the Civil war. D. J. Wilson was an early settler in Johnson county, Neb., remov- ing from Ohio, in which state he had enlisted in the Civil war and served as a non-commis- sioned officer. After locating in Nebraska he engaged as a stock man and traveled for five years among frontier conditions of the middle west, enduring many dangers and hardships. His partner was Ed Hargan, with whom he traveled all over the west. During the years in which Mr. Wilson was actively engaged in the stock business he spent his winters in San Diego and finally, in 1900, located here permanently, being now retired from the active cares of life. He retains his interest in former days through his association with the Grand Army of the Repub- lic. His wife was formerly Sarah E. Campbell. a native of Norton, Kans., and a daughter of Adam Campbell of Kentucky, who was a stock- man of Kansas and is now a resident of San Diego. Adam Campbell and his wife migrated from Kentucky to St. Louis, thence to Iowa. where he was one of the first settlers, and later to Nebraska, where he was also a pioneer settler, then to western Kansas. Mrs. Wilson died in Nebraska.

Doc Wilson was reared in Nebraska, receiv- ing his education in public schools and the high school at Cook, from which he was graduated. He then entered the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and graduated in 1899 with the degree of civil engineer. In 1900 he came to San Diego and the following year the San Diego Gem Company was organized and incorporated. Of the five men interested in the enterprise not one could cut a stone and they owned neither mines nor stock. They established a small lapidary and hired an expert stone cutter, Mr. Wilson immediately becoming an apprentice and continuing until he had mastered the art. About $2,000 was spent by the firm in perfecting their machine, which is

Charles of tehusker AGE 97 YEARS.

833

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

now a part of the best equipped lapidary in San Diego, besides which they have an electric motor and all other modern devices necessary to their constantly increasing business. At the same time Mr. Wilson took up the study of mineralogy with the Scranton school and received his diplo- ma therefrom. When the company was formed Mr. Wilson was only a small share-holder, while he is now president and manager. He has pros- peeted for mines all over this county and has collected specintens from every mine in the county, his report in 1904 on gems and jewelry appearing in bulletin No. 37, edited by Dr. George F. Kunz. He has operated various gem mines, among them the California Gem, which produced a $500 hyacinth, the Little Three, Laurel C. Hazel Dell, the Chihuahua Gem, and Lythia Mine, all of which are prolific producers. Some of Mr. Wilson's gems were sent with county ex- hibits to the Portland Fair and received medals. This company owns or controls the output of the principal producing mines of the county and continues adding to its mining properities. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and is also prominent socially, belonging to the Cabrello Club of San Diego.

The marriage of Mr. Wilson occurred in Ra- mona July 22, 1906, uniting him with Hazel Dell Adams, who was born July 21, 1889, in Ramona.

CHARLES CARROLL CLUSKER. Across the vista of the fast fleeting years the thoughts of this prominent pioneer often revert to the memorable year of 1848, with its exciting journey across the plains and its train of experiences in the mining camps of the far west. Of the countless thousands who braved the dangers of the deserts and mountains in their effort to reach the great mines of the west, he is one of the compara- tively few who now survive; by far the larger majority have gone upon another journey out into the silent sea of death. Their ears are dull to the memories that span the voiceless past ; their eyes are blind to the beautiful pic- tures Nature has painted for the art of man to emulate ; and their lips are forever stilled to words of praise and honor. Fortunate it is that some still remain to receive the admiring affection of a younger generation and to enjoy the blessings of a twentieth-century civiliza- tion. The long-distant days of ante-statehood history seem to be brought nearer when it is remembered that these men, still active factors in our development, were witnesses of that re- inote period of our history.

Charles Carroll Clusker is the oldest pioneer of San Bernardino county. He is the repre-

sentative of a family prominent in Madison county, Ky., where his father, John Clusker, located in 1800, removing from Virginia, where he had settled upon his emigration from Scotland. He engaged as a farmer until his death, at the age of eighty-six years. His wife, formerly Ann Hart. a native of Ireland, died in Kentucky at the age of eighty-four years. They were the parents of three sons and three daughters, the youngest of the family being Charles Carroll Clusker, who is now the sole survivor. Born March 27, 1810, in Madison county, Ky., as a child he roamed through the forests and over the plains of his home local- ity and by outdoor life gained the robustness of health which has blessed his entire life. At- taining years of maturity he followed the training of his boyhood days and engaged in farming in Madison county. Inheriting the spirit which induced the emigration of his father from the shores of "bonny Scotland." he was not content to settle down in any one place and there pass the years of his life, but was rather drawn to the unknown possibilities that lay beyond his horizon. In 1843 he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and in the same year took a trip on the Little Miami Railroad, the first built in the state. From Columbus he journeved to Cleveland, thence on Lake Erie to Buffalo and from that city by rail to Al- bany. He traversed the Hudson river by steamer to New York City and after one month spent there went on to Philadelphia. where he had the pleasure of visiting the old State House and climbing the belfry to the old bell which hung just as it did when it rang out Liberty to all the land. This incident meant much in the life of Mr. Clusker, for it stirred to life the patriotism of his manhood and brought to him a keener realization of all that the principles of our country mean to its citizens.

The journey back to Ohio was made over the inclined plane railway, over the Alleghany mountains to Pittsburg, and thence down the Ohio river to Cincinnati. In that city he engaged in the jewelry business until the Mex- ican war, when he enlisted in Company A. First Regiment, Ohio Infantry, participating in the battles of Vera Cruz, Chapultepec. Cer- ro Gordo (where Santa Ana's haste to leave the field was so great that he left his wooden leg!), Buena Vista, and the siege of the city of Mexico. He served under Zack Taylor, as he was familiarly known among the soldiers. and after peace was declared in 1848, and he was mustered out in Texas, he had the pleas- pre of voting for him for president of the United States.

In the fall of 1848 Mr. Clusker, with four

834

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

comrades, came overland to California on horseback, being well armed and provided with all necessary equipment carried by a pack-horse. The journey was made via El Paso and Tucson, the Colorado river being crossed a short distance below the present site of Yuma. They had a number of exciting ex- periences with the Apache Indians, but suc- ceeded in repulsing them each time, althoughi two of the five men were wounded. All, how- ever, reached Los Angeles in safety. Mr. Clusker remained in that village for three weeks, but not liking the place (it being then a pueblo of adobe houses and the inhabitants consisting of Indians and Mexicans) he with three of his former companions returned to Texas over the same route they had taken in their westward journey. Three months later the discovery of gold brought them back again, and from Los Angeles they journeyed up the coast to Sacramento, where in the northern mines Mr. Clusker was occupied for several years. Success accompanied his efforts and he acquired considerable means. In 1852 he be- came a resident of San Bernardino county, en- gaging in mining for a time here, eventually following a like occupation in Utah, Montana and Idaho. The breaking out of the Civil war induced his return to his native state, in com- pany with Major Harris and Sidney P. Waite, and there he enlisted in Company A, General Morgan's cavalry and served until 1864. Re- turning to the west he made a trip to Arizona and engaged in mining at Wickenburg. This was still a wild, uncivilized country and trou- ble with the Apache Indians was frequent and at time serious. After remaining six years in that section, he returned to San Bernardino county, continuing mining and prospecting in this southern country and on the desert and also engaging in merchandising in the valley. He was eminently successful in all his efforts and with the passing years acquired a compe- tence which enables him to enjoy his declining years in peace and plenty.

Mr. Clusker occupies by right his position in San Bernardino county, for few of the old pioneers have passed through all the phases of the early life of California in just the manner he has. The first events of our statehood are vividly impressed upon his memory and make him a highly entertaining conversationalist. He is an honored member of the San Bernar- dino Society of California Pioneers, and on Old Folks' Day at the pioneer reunion of 1905, at the pavilion in San Bernardino, a large pic- ture was taken of the crowd, showing Mr. Clusker in the center of the group of old set- tlers and their families. He belongs to the So-

ciety of the Blue and the Gray, where the "boys" march side by side on Decoration Day to do honor to their sleeping comrades, re- gardless of the color they wore in that ever- memorable event. He is a Democrat political- ly and is stanch in his advocacy of the princi- ples advocated in the platform of his party. In his fraternal relations he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, being a charter member of San Bernardino Lodge No. 836 ; in 1905 he was a delegate to the Elks' re- union at Buffalo, N. Y., being the only mem- ber outside of those of the Grand Lodge that had a carriage in the parade, and in 1906 was a delegate to their reunion in Denver. At the reunion of the Southern California Elks in Los Angeles in 1905 he was presented with a silver loving cup in honor of being the oldest Elk on earth, his sobriquet being the "Baby Elk." Al- though advanced in years Mr. Clusker retains all his faculties, is hale and hearty, and com- bines with his reminiscences of other years a youthful spirit and enthusiasm which endears him to all and adds honor to the name which shall be associated always with the pioneer days of California. -

LEWIS M. WOOD. There is probably no one in Long Beach who is better versed in min- ing and mining properties than Mr. Wood, who is a practical miner and prospector, having in the course of his life personally inspected min- ing properties all over the mountains from Brit- ish Columbia to Old Mexico. As may be sur- mised his claims are scattered and not confined even to the state, but they are in charge of com- petent superintendents, so that he is enabled to transact their management from his home city, Long Beach. While his mining interests are large they do not consume his entire attention, for he is also the owner of large holdings in real estate in Los Angeles, San Pedro and Ter- minal Island, all of which he manages himself.

A native of the east, Lewis M. Wood was born in New York City, February 14. 1865, the fifth among twelve children born to his parents, and of whom eight are now living. His father, William Wood, was also a native of the Empire state, where, in addition to tilling the soil, he also practiced law in Burke, Franklin county. He is still living, as is also his wife, who before her marriage was Ruth Atwater, she too being a native of New York state.

Such education as Lewis M. Wood gained was received in his native state for, while yet a boy, he went to Norfolk. Va., for the purpose of learning the machinist's trade, which he ac- complished in the prescribed time and thereafter

835

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

returned to New York City and engaged as a manufacturing machinist at No. 12 Cortlandt street, an enterprise which he conducted with suc- cess for a number of years. It was about the year 1890 that his interest in the west became aroused, and by way of Chicago, Il1 .. he made his way to Colorado in February of that year. He made a thorough investi- gation of the mining camps throughout that rich country, taking claims in the Gunnison and San Juan country, San Luis valley, and was one of the first to become interested in the Cripple Creek country, which today stands par excellence among mining properties in the United States. Mr. Wood first came to Califor- nia on a tour of inspection in 1892, locating various claims throughout the state and the fol- lowing year he located in San Francisco, having in the meantime secured a valuable property near Kingman, Mohave county, Ariz. For two years he retained his headquarters in San Francisco, and then in 1895 settled in Long Beach, which has ever since been his home.

In Pueblo, Colo., on September 9, 1891, Lewis M. Wood was united with Miss Letitia E. Brat- tin, the daughter of James and Jane Brattin, the father a pioneer merchant of Warren, Ohio. Mrs. Wood is a graduate of Dana's Musical Institute of Warren. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church, while Mr. Wood is a member of the Episcopal Church. He is identified with but one fraternal organization, the Knights of Pythias, of Kingman, Ariz.

JOHN FELL LIGHTBURN, one of the early settlers of Long Beach, and an enthusias- tic advocate of its unlimited advantages, is a na- tive of Westmoreland county, Pa., born February 14, 1837. His father, Benjamin Lightburn, was also a native of Pennsylvania, and the represen- tative of sturdy and patriotic stock in manhood; he removed to the vicinity of the town now known as Weston, W. Va., there relinquishing his trade of blacksmith and building an overshot mill. This being on a creek and not proving the success he had anticipated he located on the Monongahela river and there built another mill which he con- ducted until his death. His wife, formerly Re- becca Fell, a native of Pennsylvania and a daugh- ter of Jesse Fell, passed away in West Virginia. Born of their union were five sons and six daugh- ters, of whom four sons and three daughters are now living. Of the sons Joseph A. J. served in both the Mexican and Civil wars, entering the Seventh Regiment Ohio Infantry, with the rank of colonel and being promoted to that of brig- adier general, and as such continued until the close of the Civil war, when he returned to the

duties of civic life and eventually passed away on the old homestead. Another son, C. L., served on the staff of Gen. Joseph A. J. Lightburn, and surviving the vicissitudes of warfare, is now a resident of Denver, Colo .; Martin V. B., a resi- dent of Harrison, Boone county, Ark., served with the rank of captain in a West Virginia regiment, and Benjamin F. is a resident of Can- ton, Stark county, Ohio. The principles .of in- tegrity and honor instilled into the lives of the children of these pioneer parents have been re- flected in the acts of their mature years, all winning and holding a place in the esteem of those with whom their lot has been cast.

The boyhood years of John Fell Lightburn were passed in Lewis county, W. Va., where he received his education through an attendance of the subscription schools of that section. He learned the miller's trade in the old burr mill, and at the age of twenty-one years he went to Mingo Flats, Randolph county, W. Va., to en- gage in business with his brother-in-law, Amos Hevener, a cattleman of that section, and a strong, devoted southerner. It followed then that Mr. Lightburn should respond to the call for volunteers made by Governor Letcher, en- listing in the Thirty-first Regiment, Virginia In- fantry, serving faithfully until he was taken prisoner at the time of the Imboden raid. For twenty-two months he was held captive, passing the time at Camp Chase, Johnson Island, and also at Point Lookout. In February, 1865, he was paroled, and at the close of the strife he re- turned to his old home and again engaged in the occupation of milling. He had received but one wound during his time of service, at the second battle of Manassas receiving a shot in his left arm.

In 1869 Mr. Lighburn came as far west as Wyoming and there followed placer mining for three years, when he returned to the middle west and in Appleton, Wis., established a mercantile enterprise, which, however, he abandoned in the fall of the same year (1872). Going to Sumner county, Kans., he entered land, but was run out by the grasshoppers, after which he located in Belleplaine, same county, where he engaged at the trade of stonemason, contracting for the erection of various buildings, among them the county jail. Attracted to California in 1890 he disposed of his holdings in Sumner county and in Tustin followed the carpenter's trade for eigh- teen months; removing to Long Beach in 1892 he has since made this place his home and been one of the foremost men in its upbuilding and development. There was a population of but seven hundred people, property was cheap and only a person of far-seeing judgment could pre- dict the wonderful values which would in the

836

HISTORICAL, AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

future be placed upon this locality. At the cor- ner of Fourth street and Elm avenue he pur- chased a lot for $360 which is now in the heart of the business district and held at an exceptionally high figure.

Prolific in plans for self occupation Mr. Lightburn took up gardening upon his location in Long Beach and this has since called for the greater part of his time and attention, and to no man is there more credit due for the beauti- fying of the city, its parks and private lawns, being engaged at the present writing in laying out the park work on Signal Hill. He has also laid out the finest lawns in Pasadena, Los An- geles, Monrovia and other cities in Southern Cal- ifornia. He owns some improved and unim- proved property in his adopted city.

Mr. Lightburn's wife, formerly Sarah J. Wil- son, a native of Mingo. W. Va., in which locality they were united in marriage, died in Belleplaire, Kans .; of their union were born seven children, namely: Lina, wife of E. Vance Hill, engaged in the furniture business in Long Beach; Lee, who died in Wyoming : Fell, located in Tonopah, Nev., engaged in newspaper work; George B., in Gibbon, Okla .; Ray, Clifton T., and Mary, the three latter dying in Belleplaine. By a second marriage Mr. Lightburn was united with Eliz- abeth P. Hare, of West Virginia, their union tak- ing place in Riverside, Cal. Mr. Lightburn is associated fraternally with the Masonic organi- zation, while politically he is a stanch Prohi- bitionist and thoroughly alive to the responsi- bihties of his profession. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he officiates as dea- con. To Mr. Lightburn is due the credit which belongs to a man thoroughly in touch with the progress of a place, thoroughly alive to the needs and uses of a citizen, and whose best efforts have ever been given to advance all measures for the upbuilding and promotion of the general welfare. He has justly won the position he holds among the citizens of Long Beach, both for his character of citizenship and the personal attributes which have won him innumerable friends.

LORENZO ANSON ROCKWELL. The Rockwells in America are descendants of an old English family. The first authentic record is given in history when Sir Ralph de Rocheville, a Norman, accompanied Empress Maude into England when she claimed the throne of that realm during the Norman conquests in 1066. Subsequently he supported King Henry IE, and was granted three knights' fees of land. The property has been entailed from that time, Sir James Rockwell (anglicized de Rocheville), of Rockwell Hall, Boroughbridge, county of York,

being the representations of the family in Eng- land. Sir John Rockwell rescued Lord Percy, the celebrated "Hot-Spur." from the party of the Earl Douglas, at the battle of Halidon Hall. In 1630 Deacon William Rockwell, wife and son John, were of a congregation of church mem- bers who, to escape the persecution of King James II, sought refuge in the new world, com- ing over in the ship Mary and John, which landed at Dorcester, Mass., May 30, 1630. He was one of the first three selectmen of the town and signed all the land grants. From this pro- genitor sprang the Rockwell family in America. They occupy prominent positions as statesmen, college professors and preachers. No less than twenty-three have represented their district in the lower house of Congress, and eight have oc- cupied seats in the United States senate. Three of the descendants of Deacon William Rockwell were in succession named John. Jonathan, son of the succeeding Johns, was father of Timothy, father of Wildman Niram, father of Anson John, who was the father of the subject of this sketch. Anson John Rockwell was born at Stanbridge. Canada, December 25, 1825. He was educated in the common schools, and later learned the millwright's trade, which he followed success- fully. He was married December 25, 1849, to Louisa D. Williams, the elder daughter of John Sylvester Williams, a prosperous farmer and the scion of another old English family. The only issue of this marriage was one son, Lorenzo An- son, who was born January 30, 1852, at Cowans- ville, Canada. The family removed to the vicin- ity of Coldwater, Mich., when he was about four years old, resided there about ten years, thence went to Galesburg, Ill .; thence to Muscatine, Iowa, and in March, 1873, they came to Visalia. Cal., where they resided about twenty years.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 125

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