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 126

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

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Lorenzo A. Rockwell received his primary ed- ucation in the public schools, was graduated from the normal school in 1878, taught six years, then engaged in the during business at Traver, Tulare county, Cal., in 1884. He was married August 25, 1880, to Sarah Ellen Pennebaker. eklest daughter of William G. Pennebaker, a wealthy land owner (now retired), whose acts constitute much of the history making of Tulare county. She was a classmate of her husband in the normal school, an accomplished musician and possessed a beautiful Christian character. They resided on their beautiful mountain ranch, where Mr. Rockwell had put out an extensive orchard, his orange orchard being the first in that sec- tion. He taught school there several years, or- ganized and named the Sulphur Springs school district, wrote to the postoffice department at Washington, D. C., enclosing a petition and had the Three Rivers postoffice, which he also named. established. One son, Guy Lionel. born July

LOUIS PHILLIPS

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25, 1881, was the only issue of this marriage. Mrs. Rockwell died soon after their removal to Traver, August 7, 1884. Mr. Rockwell never remarried. He prospered in business, having at one time branch stores at Reedley, Dinuba and Portersville. He was appointed the first justice of the peace there, serving nearly four years, having been re-elected at the expiration of his term of service. He organized and was one of the first trustees of the Traver school district and served as clerk of the board for eight years. He was the first president of the Traver Im- provement Company, the first master of Traver Lodge, F. & A. M., serving four years; the first Master Workman of the Ancient Order of Unit- ed Workmen; the first chief ranger of the For- esters ; the first Worthy Patron of the Order of Eastern Star, and the first Chief Templar, and was an important factor in the development of the town and is connected with much of its his- tory. His health failing, he disposed of a part of his interests and bought a drug store in San- ta Monica, where he removed in 1890. There his father died the following year. After two years spent there he sold his store and bought an extensive business in Tombstone, Ariz., and established a branch store in Nogales. Meeting with financial reverses during the panic of 1893 he disposed of his Arizona interests and re- turned to California.

In July, 1894, Mr. Rockwell opened his pres- ent drug business in Compton. He was here ap- pointed justice of the peace, serving about two years. It was from articles written by Mr. Rock- well, which appeared in the local papers from time to time, that the proposition of establish- ing a Union high school in Compton took root. He was one of the first trustees, the first clerk of the board, and one of the first three members of the executive committee. He subscribed for stock in the Bank of Compton when that insti- tution was organized, and has always taken an active part on the side of progress. He was ap- pointed postmaster March 15, 1901 and is still holding that position (October 1906). This of- fice was made a presidential office July 1, 1906, and through his efforts two rural delivery routes, of twenty-three and twenty-four and a half miles respectively, were established, which serve most of the adjacent country with daily mail.

Mr. Rockwell has taken great pride in giving his son a liberal education, he having finished his course at Stanford University in 1905. He is active in fraternal circles, having taken all the degrees of Masonry, including the Knight Tem- plar and the Scottish Rite, and has held import- ant offices in all of the bodies. He also belongs to all branches of Odd Fellowship. Mr. Rock- well has pursued a course in the medical col- lege of Los Angeles, having taken the senior

year at the College of Physicians and Surgeons. His mother, a sprightly and well-preserved lady of seventy-three years, still manages his house- hold.

LOUIS PHILLIPS. Although Mr. Phil- lips passed from carth in 1896 he is still re- membered with affectionate regard through- out Los Angeles county, where so much of his active life had been passed. As early as 1863 he came to the vicinity of Spadra, and three years later he purchased the San Jose ranch, containing twelve thousand acres of the best land in the San Jose valley. At that time neighbors were few and far between, the near- est ranch to his own being seven miles dis- tant, but he lived to witness many wonderful changes in the aspect of the country, not a few of which he was instrumental in bringing about. As the country about him became more thickly settled he disposed of portions of his large holdings from time to time, and the land now covered by the town of Pomona was once a portion of this tract. He sold the land in- tact to the incorporators of the new town, who subdivided it into lots for sale to settlers. Be- sides the large ranch which he owned at the time of his death he also left valuable prop- erties in Los Angeles, among which are the building occupied by the People's store, the building containing Newmark's wholesale storc, in addition to a valuable block on Main street, and choice residence and business property in Pomona.

Of German birth and parentage, Louis Phil- lips was born April 22, 1829, one of the six children of his parents, who were natives and life-long residents of the Fatherland. They survived the celebration of their golden wed- ding for many years. and both passed away at advanced ages. Three of their sons came to California and until Mr. Phillips' death all :vere still living in this state. Until he was thirteen years old Louis Phillips' life was as- 'sociated with his native land, but at that age he came to the new world with an elder broth- er, the ship on which they sailed casting anchor in New Orleans. For about seven years he devoted his attention to mercantile business in Louisiana, but the discovery of gold in Cali- fornia changed the whole aspect before him. With a party of others of equal daring and de- termination he bought a sailing vessel and fit- ted it up for a voyage around the Horn, with San Franicsco as their destination. Without any serious adventure they dropped anchor in that port in the early part of 1850, leaving there soon afterward, however, for the mines,

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where they hoped to make sudden fortunes. So far as Mr. Phillips was concerned disap- pointment awaited him, and without further loss of time and effort he returned to San Francisco and opened a general merchandise store on Long wharf, being associated in this undertaking with his brother Fitel. Subse- quently he disposed of his half-interest in the enterprise to his brother and located in Los Angeles, then in the earliest days of its in- fancy, and here he also opened a general store. It was while carrying on this enterprise that he purchased a ranch east of the village on the San Gabriel river, this in time demanding so much of his attention that he was compelled to dispose of his store. The San Antonio ranch, for such it was called, contained sev- eral thousand acres, and here Mr. Phillips en- gaged in farming and stock-raising for the fol- lowing ten years, or until 1863, when, as pre- viously stated, he located in the San Jose val- ley. In the purchase of the San Jose ranch of twelve thousand acres his idea was to con- tinue the lines of agriculture inaugurated up- on his previous ranch, only on a larger scale and along more advanced lines. He was the pioneer in the breeding of fine stock, and spent considerable money in the advancement of his ideas along this line. His faith in the under- taking was rewarded in the possession of fine herds of cattle, horses and sheep, which was proof positive that he thoroughly compre- hended what he was undertaking. The home- stead portion of the ranch is located in Spadra, where he engaged in the fruit and vine cult- ure, and today much of the land is in English walnuts, forming one of the most valuable groves in this part of the state. The family orchard contains all of the varieties of fruit grown in Southern California, in fact it is à typical ranch in a country famed the world over for its wonderfully productive ranches. Water for irrigation is supplied from various pumping plants scattered throughout the ranch, and at one time Mr. Phillips had a fine fish pond, stocked principally with carp and catfish. The first house occupied by the family was a large adobe structure, which was re- placed some years later by a commodious brick residence. still the home of Mrs. Phil- lips. Since the death of her husband she has continued the management of his vast inter- ests, although she does not carry on stock- raising as extensively as before, now having hundreds of head of cattle and horses, where formerly they were numbered by the thou- sands. The ranch originally contained twelve thousand acres, but was reduced from time to time by the sale of tracts for town sites,

until it now contains five thousand acres, much of which is now leased to tenants. Mrs. Phil- lips is conceded to be one of the wealthiest residents of Los Angeles county, and as well, one of her best business women. During her husband's life the San Jose ranch was noted for its fine appearing and well-kept buildings, with grounds in keeping, and no deterioration in this respect has been allowed to mar the record since the oversight of the place has fallen into Mrs. Phillips' hands.

Mrs. Phillips was prior to her marriage Esther Ann Blake, a native of Illinois, and her marriage to Mr. Phillips occurred October 18, 1866. Her parents, William and Joyce (Cook) Blake, were both natives of New York state, but were married in Illinois, after which they settled in Adams county, where Mr. Blake owned a fine farm. He sold this, however, when his daughter Esther was a small child and removed to Missouri, remaining there for about fifteen years. When she was about six- teen years old they crossed the plains to Cali- fornia, settling in the San Jose valley, where her father purchased land upon which he re- sided the remainder of his life. He passed away when in his eighty-fifth year, while his wife had preceded him by many years, her death occurring as the result of a runaway accident when she was fifty-nine years old. Of their four children all are deceased with the exception of Mrs. Phillips. Of the four chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Phillips we men- tion the following: Bella, born September 8, 1868, is now the wife of A. F. George and makes her home in Los Angeles; Charles Blake, born April 26, 1870, grew to young manhood and passed away in 1899; Louis Robert, the next in order of birth, married Miss Esta Way, who died September 28, 1905, since which time he has made his home with his mother: George S. married Miss Irene Dudley, and they with their three children make their home in Pomona.

Besides the interests already enumerated Mr. Phillips owned stock in the First Nation- al Bank of Los Angeles, and also in the First National Bank of Pomona. Throughout Los Angeles county Mr. Phillips was known as an energetic and progressive citizen and a shrewd business man. his success in the business world being directly traceable to the possession of a wonderful foresight. Politically he was a Democrat, and although not an office-seeker wielded considerable influence in the ranks of his party. During 1866, three years after locating in Spadra, he was appointed post- master of the village. When the Southern Pa- cific road was built through to Los Angeles

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county he gave the right of way to the com- pany to continue the road through his ranch, and since then the Salt Lake & Los Angeles road has also been allowed to traverse the homestead ranch. Fraternally he was a char- ter member of Pomona Lodge No. 246, 1. O. O. F., and dming the early days he was a members of what was known as the Vigilan- tees, which consisted of settlers banded to- gether to suppress the Mexicans, who at that time were committing depredations which put the life and property of the white settlers in jeopardy. Mr. Phillips passed away March 16, 1896, at which time Spadra and Los An- geles county lost a stanch citizen and a be- loved friend. Mrs. Phillips shares in the es- teem in which her husband was held, and by all she is regarded as an exceptional business woman.

JOHN W. BURSON. One of the most en- terprising men of Ventura county is John W. Burson, who has for twenty years been interested in various important business enterprises and is now engaged in promoting and upbuilding the Bakersfield & Ventura Railway in the Santa Clara valley. He was born September 15, 1861, in Marshall county, Ill., where his parents were engaged in farming. They afterwards removed to California and lived in Santa Barbara, where they both died. They were the parents of eight children, John W. being the fourth in order of birth. He was brought up on the farm and received his education through the medium of the public schools of Marshall county, Ill. In 1886 he came to California, settled at Santa Paula, Ventura county, and engaged in the gen- eral merchandise business, having occupied the third store erected in that town. He subsequent- ly sold out and went to Grants Pass, Ore., re- maining there during the year in which occurred the big fire, and then returned to Ventura county and established a merchandising business at Fill- more. He continued at this for some time, and when he sold out it was to engage in the oil business, drilling wells at various points. In two oil companies he was interested with Chester Brown and they continued operations together for a couple of years. Mr. Burson later made an exceedingly good strike in the Sespe district and afterward sold his interests to the Union Consolidated Oil Company, as he desired to en- gage in railroad promoting. He saw a great future for the outlet of the Bakersfield oil region and with H. M. Russell obtained a charter for the Bakersfield and Ventura Railroad. The com- pany was incorporated and surveying for the line was begun in 1902. In May, 1905, con- struction was commenced and the twenty miles

in the vicinity of Hueneme and Oxnard com- pleted. It is a broad gauge line and is now in operation hauling sugar beets and pulp for the Oxnard sugar factory. When finished the road will run through Sespe canon to Brownstone and into the San Joaquin valley. Other ex- tensive business interests are also owned by Mr. Butrson, among them being oil lands in Ven- tura and Kern county, a fruit ranch containing ninety acres at Fillmore, a grain ranch of three hundred and forty-six acres, and an interest in a two hundred and forty-five acre ranch which has ninety acres planted to beets, his partner in this latter holding being Colonel Perkins.

Mr. Burson's first marriage, in Oregon, united him with Miss Martha Fowler, a native of California, and the daughter of Welcome Fowler, one of the early '49ers in this state. She became the mother of six children, Clarence, Ralph, Nettie, Clifford, Roscoe and Martha. Her death occurred at Fillmore in September, 1897, depriving Mr. Burson of a faithful wife, and her children of a devoted mother. His second mar- riage took place at Hiteneme to Miss Dell Bur- son, who was born in Illinois, and is an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Burson has six brothers who are Shriners, and lie was made a Mason in the Santa Paula Lodge, Is now a charter member of the lodge at Fill- more, belongs to Oxnard Chapter, R. A. M., is a member of the Los Angeles Consistory, being a thirty-second degree Mason, and belongs to the Al Malaikalı Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. In politics he is an earnest advocate of the prin- ciples embraced in the platform of the Republi- can party and has served as a member of the county central committee. He is a progressive and leading citizen and his ability and worth receive the recognition of all with whom he comes in contact.

ABRAM C. DENMAN, Jr. The president and general manager of the San Bernardino Valley Traction Company is a member of an old and patriotic family of America, as is evidenced by his identification with the Sons of the War of 1812, the Founders and Patriarchs of Ameri- ca, the Washington Continental Guards of New York City and the Society of the Colonial Wars. Born in the City of Newark, N. J., December 26, 1875, he is a son of Abram C. and Sarah (Hedenburg) Denman, likewise natives of New Jersey. In Newark the father embarked in the manufacture of steel upon a large scale, and for many years he was connected with a large and flourishing foundry and steel plant. The social and financial standing of the family brought many advantages to Abram C., Jr., who was given the best educational opportunities the

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country afforded at the time. Primarily edu- cated in an academy at Newark, N. J., later he was sent to the New York Military Academy, and from there was sent to Cornell University at Ithaca, where he had for three years the best advantages that splendid institution afforded. On the completion of his university course he returned to New York City and for some years engaged in the steel and iron business with his father.

While residing in Newark, N. J., Mr. Den- man, in 1897, was united in marriage with Miss Grace W. Davis, daughter of Stephen A. Davis, who was a prominent citizen of Newark, N. J. Their two children are named Frederick Halsey and Grace. Since leaving the university Mr. Denman has retained his association with Chi Phi, one of the leading orders at Cornell. Com- ing to California in 1900 he established himself at Redlands, where he now makes his home, al- though he has his business headquarters in San Bernardino. In the comparatively brief period of his residence here he has acquired many im- portant, and valuable interests, has purchased stock in various concerns and has gained many important social connections. At this writing he acts as first vice-president of the San Ber- nardino Savings Bank, is president of the San Bernardino Theatre Company, ex-president of the University Club of California, and a director of the Country Club at Redlands.

Notwithstanding the magnitude of other in- terests there is one enterprise with which the name of Mr. Denman remains most intimately associated and in the development of which he has been an influential factor. This organiza- tion is the San Bernardino Valley Traction Com- pany, of which he is president and general man- ager. From the date of its organization he has been a leading factor in its progress and growth, and its present substantial standing is due large- ly to his judicious efforts. The inception of the present concern is traced back to May, 1901, when Mr. Denman purchased the Urbita Hot Springs property located south of the city limits of San Bernardino. The following month he associated with himself H. H. Sinclair and Hen- ry Fisher of Redlands, and the three operated the place until it was sold June 2, 1903, to the San Bernardino Valley Traction Company. Meanwhile, in June of 1901, a company had been incorporated, capitalized at $500,000, under the name of the San Bernardino Valley Traction Company, whose stockholders were Messrs. Fisher, Sinclair and Denman, with J. H. Fisher, Edward S. Graham and Henry B. Ely, of Red- lands, and Seth Hartley of Colton. The follow- ing officers were chosen: Henry Fisher, presi- dent; A. C. Denman, Jr., vice-president and

general manager; Edward S. Graham, treasur- er ; and C. W. A. Cartlidge, secretary.

Various franchises were purchased in the summer and six months later the company began the task of building their road, over which the first car was run February 22, 1902. The first car between San Bernardino and Redlands was run March 10, 1903. With a capital stock of $150,000, the San Bernardino and Highland Electric Railway Company was incorporated in February, 1903, with the following officers : Henry Fisher, president; A. C. Denman, Jr., vice-president and general manager; George B. Ellis, secretary ; and E. D. Roberts, treasurer. These officers, with George M. Cooley and H. H. Sinclair composed the board of directors. The company purchased franchises on Pacific and Palm avenues, and was about to commence operations when Mr. Kohl, of the San Ber- nardino, Arrowhead & Waterman Railway Com- pany began negotiations with Mr. Denman for the purchase of the old motor line. In April the board of directors purchased the old road, and immediately began to remodel the same, widening the gauge and making other improve- ments necessary for the operation of electric cars. July 26, 1903. the first car was run over the line as far as Harlem Springs, and August 13 the line was opened to Patton and Highland.

The San Bernardino Valley Traction Com- pany and the Highland Electric Company oper- ated separately for a time, but June 2, 1903, they consolidated with the Redlands Street Railway Company under the name of the San Bernardino Valley Traction Company. At the first meeting the following officers were elected: A. C. Den- man, Jr., president and general manager ; George M. Cooley, vice-president ; J. C. Wood, secretary and treasurer. The board of directors is composed of the officers with J. H. Fisher, E. D. Roberts, W. D. Brookings, O. D. Collins, Henry Fisher and E. S. Graham. The three companies, since the consolidation, have been operated under one management and their lines carry from one hundred and ten thousand to one hundred and thirty-five thousand persons per month. In the city of Redlands they operate three cars, two cars run between Redlands and San Bernardino, two between San Bernardino and Colton, one between San Bernardino and Highland, and one to Urbita Springs and within the city of San Bernardino. There has been a great increase in travel since the first car was started, and the company has enjoyed a constant increase of patronage, which has enabled it to meet its expenses and make a profit besides. Since the company was formed it has never run behind any month, and its property, consisting of its various lines as well as the Urbita Springs and the Cole rack track, represent a large in-

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

vestment on which gratifying returns are being received. An extension is now under way to the Arrowhead Hot Springs, a distance of six and one-half miles north'of San Bernardino.

WILLIAM M. SNODDY. One of the early settlers of Southern California, William M. Snoddy is remembered in the citizenship of the state and held in high esteem for the qualities of character he displayed during his residence in this section. He was born in Boone county, Mo., in 1843, a son of John W. and Sarah ( Beattie) Snoddy, both of whom were natives of the same state. He was reared on the home farm until thirteen years old, when his mother died, and he then became dependent upon his own resources. He finally became a clerk in a store in St. Joseph, Mo., and remained in this connection until 1864, when he crossed the plains to California. He located in Sacramento for the period of one year, after which he went to San Jose and began trad- ing between that city and Almaden. Later he engaged in agricultural pursuits in Milpitas, where he remained until 1869, in which year he disposed of his interests in that section and com- ing to Southern California located in Los Angeles county. In 1870 he purchased from the San Franciscito rancho the farm now owned by his widow, located a mile and half north of El Monte. It was then in a wild state, and he at once began an improvement and cultivation which eventually placed it among the most valuable ranches in this section. Much of the ranch was devoted to the raising of fruit, a part given over to a vineyard, and an orchard of large fruits. He was very successful in his work, acquired a competence, and at the same time built up for himself a posi- tion of prominence among the citizens of the con- munity. He was always active in the upbuilding and advancement of the section, giving special aid to educational affairs, assisting in the build- ing of the Savannah school, in which he served as director for some years. He was a stanch ad- herent of Democratic principles and although never desirous of personal recognition along this line gave his support toward party advance- ment. His death occurred January 20, 1905, his interment being in the El Monte cemetery.

Mr. Snoddy leaves a widow, who still resides on the old home place. Before marriage she was Miss Samantha J. Tibbet, a native of Franklin county. Ohio, her birth having occurred in the vicinity of Columbus. Her father, Jonathan Tibbet, was born in Medina county, Ohio, De- cember 18, 1822, a son of Jonathan and Huldah (Root) Tibbet, natives respectively of New York and Vermont, and the former of German an- cestry. Jonathan Tibbet, Jr., married at the age of twenty-two years Miss Phoebe Point, who was

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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 126

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