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 135

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

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

served as sheriff of Morgan county. During his long residence in that community he be- came well known through his connection with the John S. Dunn Oil and Gas Company. The offices of the company were located at Dexter City, Noble county, while it owned plants in a number of the surrounding towns. Dispos- ing of his interests in Ohio in 1903, the fol- lowing year Mr. Dunn came to California and purchased the bulk of the stock of the San Pedro Salt Company. When he assumed con- trol the plant was in a run-down condition, hut during the years which it has been under his control he has installed new machinery and improved conditions generally. The dry- ing machine used in the works is the inven- tion of the Dunn brothers and is a marvel of dispatch and economy.

With his wife, formerly Lucette Worrall, Mr. Dunn resides in the capacious residence on the corner of Tenth and Main streets, Long Beach, which he purchased upon coming to the state in 1904. Two sons, Irvin L. and Or- ton C., have blessed their marriage, born in Chesterhill, Ohio, November 13, 1869, and Feb- ruary J. 1875, respectively. Both were grad- nated from the Case School of Applied Sciences in 1895. and thereafter were associat- ed with their father in business in the east. They came to California with their parents in 1904 and have since been identified with the San Pedro Salt Company, Irvin L. being presi- (lent, and Orton C. secretary and treasurer. Both sons are married and are residents of Long Beach. In Macksburg, Ohio, they were initiated into the Masonic order and still hold membership there. also belonging to the chap- ter of Caldwell, Ohio, where their father is also a member. Orton C. belongs to the con- sistory at Cincinnati. The names of both of the sons are on the roster of the Knights of Prthias order in Dexter City, as well as the Order of the Eastern Star, besides which they are members of the college fraternity Phi Delta Theta.

OLIVER O'BRIEN. As president of the Lumber Survevors' Association of Southern Cali- fornia Oliver O'Brien is best known in the city of San Pedro, where he has resided since Mav. 1904. Although he is a native of Ireland. his earliest recollections are of life in San Francisco, to which city he was brought hy his mother when scarcely two years old, his father having died during the same year in which the son was born. The family had been identified with New York City for several generations, that having been the birthplace of the father. John T., who was a graduate physician and who came to San

Francisco in 1850 or 1851. He engaged in the practice of medicine and also conducted a drug business there when there were but two drug stores in the city-his own and one owned by Reddington & Co. Dr. O'Brien was one of the citizens of San Francisco who in the early days saw the necessity of compelling the enforcement of law and order and as a member of the old vigilance committee did his part in redeeming the community from riot and lawlessness. After some years he went to Coleraine, Ireland, and established a drug store, which he conducted un- til the time of his death, in November, 1868. His wife, who was Rose, daughter of Jolin Jor- dan, a merchant in Londonderry, where the daughter was born, returned to America with her family of six children in 1870 and has ever since made her home in California, now residing in Burlingame.

The youngest of the family, the birth of Oli- ver O'Brien occurred July 18, 1868, in Coleraine, Londonderry, Ireland. He was reared in San Francisco and received his education through the medium of the public and high schools of that city, at the age of sixteen years beginning his business career. For ten successive years he was employed by the Simpson Lumber Company and became a lumber surveyor, subsequently re- signing this position to become manage of the Bay Shore Lumber Company in Oakland. While there he built a residence in Alameda, which he later sold and now owns property in Burlingame. It was in May, 1904, that he came to San Pedro and began lumber surveying and has continued to follow the business ever since. During the year of 1906 he was elected to the presidency of the Lumber Surveyors' Association of Southern Cali- fornia, and is filling the office with credit to him- self and to the satisfaction of all the members.

Mr. O'Brien's marriage occurred in San Fran- cisco, uniting him with Minnie Glueck, a native of that city, and they have become the parents of three children, Justin, Russell and Vivian. Mr. O'Brien is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks at Oakland, and the National Union in San Francisco. Politically he is an advocate of the principles embraced in the plat- form of the Republican party and takes an active interest in all matters of public import to the community in which he lives and where he is held in the highest esteem by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.

CHARLES FREMONT CASEBEER. Ir. 1896 Mr. Casebeer made his first trip to Cali- fornia, but did not make this state his permanent home until 1902, when he located in Long Beach, where he has since resided. He was born in Cedar county, lowa, June 5, 1856, the youngest

Jesse Gilmore

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in a family of seven children of whom four are now living. His father, David Casebeer, was born in Ohio and became a pioneer of Iowa in the territorial days of that section. He was a machinist, blacksmith and bell maker by trade. In 1859 he removed to Anderson county, Kans .. and the following year to Allen county, that state, where he engaged as a pioneer farmer and was also one of the founders of the town of Humboldt. He engaged in various occupations, among them blacksmithing and machine work and also the building and operating of flour mills. His death occurred in 1861. His wife, formerly Harriet T. Coffee, a native of Ohio, also died in Kansas.

Charles F. Casebeer was reared on the Kan- sas frontier among the Indians, and amid all the conditions characteristic of that day. The death of his father occurring when he was only five . years old he was reared by his mother on the home farm, remaining with her until her death, which occurred in 1871, after which he became dependent upon his own resources. He worked on various farms in Kansas until he was seven- teen years old, when he went to Oregon in the vicinity of Roseburg, then the terminus of the Oregon Central, now the Southern Pacific Rail- road. Working as a farm hand until 1875, he subsequently engaged in mining in Siskiyou county, Cal., for two years, when he returned to Oregon and in Baker City engaged in mining and stock-raising, his mine (which he owned in conjunction with his brother, Eli Casebeer ) be- ing on the Powder and Burnt rivers. Their brand for horses was a half circle with a cross (+, and the cattle brand was a bar under the letter C. They were very successful in their undertakings, and remained in that location until 1896, when C. F. Casebeer disposed of his interests and came to Southern California, locating in Redlands. Later he returned to Ore- gon and engaged in mining until 1902, when he once more located in Southern California, this time establishing his home and business in Long Beach, where, on east Anaheim Road, he en- gages in the hay and grain business. He has purchased property on the corner of Anaheim Road and Lime street, 130x200 feet, where he has put up sheds, office, etc., and conducts a suc- cessful enterprise. He runs his own teams, has a hay press, wood saw. etc., and is well equipped for the conduct of his business.

Mr. Casebeer has also built a home on Lime street, which is presided over by his wife, for- merly Mrs. Minnie A. (Lindsay) Henion, whom he married in Los Angeles. She was born in Cedar county, Iowa, a daughter of Calvin Lind- say, who has been a resident of Long Beach since 1901. Her first marriage was with Frank Henion, who was accidentally killed on a rail-

road in Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Casebeer are the parents of three children, Lloyd, Frank and Raymond. Mr. Casebeer has been a member.of the Redmen since 1877, and is also associated with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a Republican in his political affiliations.

JESSE GILLMORE. The first representa- tives of the Gillmore family in America were Robert Gillmore, his wife and four sons, who were natives of Coleraine on the rugged shores of Ireland and from there crossed the ocean to Boston, August 14, 1718. The fact that they settled at Londonderry. N. H .. was per- haps due to their having come from the coun- tv of the same name in Ireland. Among the four sons was James, whose son, Jonathan, a native of New Hampshire, became a faithful and brave soldier during the exciting period of the Revolutionary struggle. Next in line of descent from the Revolutionary soldier was a son, Jonathan. Jr., who was born at Ira, Vt., in 1779, was graduated from the Dart- mouth College in 1800, and later went south, teaching school at Milledgeville. Ga., until the outbreak of the second war with England. During that conflict he served in the American army and participated in the memorable bat- tle of New Orleans under General Jackson. At the close of the war he engaged in the manufacture of brick at Covington, La., mak- ing shipments to New Orleans in schoon- ers. During 1828 he disposed of his interests to his partner. J. R. Jones, and then settled in New Orleans, but later removed to Vicks- burg. Miss. The trip of twenty-one days be- tween those two cities was made on the "Walk in the Water." which was the second steam boat that plied on the Mississippi river and was commanded by Capt. Henry S. Buckner. Eventually he became one of the wealthiest men of Vicksburg and remained a leading citizen of that place until his death, in March. 1839. On the occasion of General Jackson's visit to Vicksburg in 1837 it was his privi- lege to meet and converse with the sturdy soldier under whom he had fought at New Orleans, and it was also the privilege of his son. Jesse. then a hoy of ten years, to shake hands with the General. In March of 1841 the family removed to New Orleans, where the following year the boy enjoyed seeing Martin Van Buren : later he met Generals Tavlor and Bragg, as well as other noted men of days now gone by.

The marriage of Jonathan Gillmore, Jr .. united him with Sarah McCav, who was born in Dromore, Ireland, and died at New Or-

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leans, La., in February of 1865. Her father, Alexander McCay, was a linen manufacturer of Dromore, and died there in 1838. The fam- ily were Presbyterians in religious views and she always remained faithful to the doctrines of that denomination. Of her seven children Jesse, who was fourth in order of birth, is the sole survivor, and he was born in Covington, La., June 9, 1827. At two years of age he was taken to Vicksburg and in 1841 accom- panied the family to New Orleans, where he became a clerk at No. 42 Royal street, with McCay & Mossy, notaries. Later he entered the office of a money broker, Joseph Grant, with whom he remained two years, and then returned to his former employers, later work- ing for Lucien Hermann, a notary, after which he acted as deputy sheriff of Jefferson parish. In 1851 he was a member of the board of as- sistant aldermen of New Orleans and one year later he became a member of the board of aldermen, continuing as suchi for four years, or until his removal from the city.

Removing to Texas ili 1856 Mr. Gillmore settled in Gonzales county, where he became the owner of three ranches embracing a large acreage. One of these tracts he devoted to cattle, another was used for sheep, and the third had a large herd of horses. He was op- posed to the secession of the southern states, but he did not leave the south until shortly before the close of the struggle, and mean while, from January. 1864. until October, same year, he served as quartermaster at Laredo, Tex., handling cotton for the govern- ment. October 8, 1864, he sold his ranches and later moved via New Orleans to the north, arriving at New York City February 14, 1865. From there he went to Philadelphia, where he viewed the body of President Lincoln as it lay in state. For two years he was a mem- ber of the grain firm of Gillmore & McCay at Philadelphia and afterwards entered the grain business in Baltimore, where he remained from 1869 to 1878. His next location was at Idaho Springs. Colo., where he engaged in mining until the failure of his health neces- sitated a change of climate. However, he still retains various of his mining interests in that locality.

On coming to San Diego in 1885, Mr. Gill- more became interested in the real-estate busi- ness and is still a member of the firm of Gill- :nore & Co., his partners being his two sons, Collins and James. Since settling in San Diego he has acquired valuable property, both business and residence, and has gained a repu- tation for accurate knowledge of local prop- erty. valnes. Immediately after his arrival in San Diego he became a member of the Cham-

ber of Commerce and still retains identifica- tion with that progressive organization. Dur- ing his early manhood he was active in Ma- sonry and the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows at New Orleans, but is now demitted from both lodges. He has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Virginia Ivy, who was born in Norfolk, Va., and died in 1853 in St. Martin parish, La., leaving an only child, Ella V., now Mrs. Hulse, of San Diego. His second marriage was also solemnized in Lou- isiana and united him with Miss Mary P. Col- lins, who was born in that state and died in San Diego August 1, 1901, leaving two sons, now their father's partners in the real-estate business. Though now advanced in years Mr. Gillmore retains much of the energy and enter- prise of youth. With a keen judgment rip- ened by wide and varied experiences he unites the progressive spirit and optimistic tempera- ment of the successful man, while at the same time by tact, genial disposition and unfailing cheerfulness he has won the friendship of ac- quaintances throughout the length and breadth of the country. Many of his old friends have now passed out of life's activities, but he re- mains a link between the past and the pres- ent, between the old and the new, reminding 11s of the intelligent, capable and resourceful men to whom our country is indebted for its rise and progress.

EDMUND WESCOTT. One of the oldest residents of Southern California and a man who has done much to further the development of the city of San Diego is Edmund Wescott, who has made this city his home continuously since 1869. The family dates its history in America back to Colonial days "Post" Wescott having been a messenger under General Washington during the Revolutionary war, engaged in carrying com- munications to and from the state department. Edmund Wescott was born December 20, 1835, in Gorham, Cumberland county, Me., the son of Clement and Mary (Webb) Wescott, both of whom were natives of Maine and spent all of their days in that state, the father following the occupation of farmer at Gorham, Mrs. Wescott was the daughter of Seth Webb, a man of much learning and a prominent judge. Of their fam- ily of six sons, Edmund is the second in order of birth ; he learned the trade of bridge and wharf building in Boston.

Stories of the wonderful opportunities of ac- quiring wealth in the mines of California hav- ing fired the imagination and ambition of Mr. Wescott. in 1855 he started for this state, tak- ing passage on the steamer Northern Light and traveling via Nicaragua. Reaching San Fran-

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cisco February of the same year he at once en- gaged in extensive mining operations in Califor- nia, Nevada and British Columbia, continuing for eleven years. During that time he carried on the work by quartz, placer and hydraulic methods as his mine required, and made and lost large amounts of money as the leads proved rich or poor. In 1866 he resolved to abandon mining and again take up the trade of wharf and bridge building. For the next three years he followed this occupation in San Francisco, then came to San Diego and filled the contract for building the Jorris wharf. Later he repaired the Hor- ton wharf and subsequently, when work in this line became slack, established himself in the trucking business, organizing the firm of Hobbs & Wescott. Although he had various partners at different times, he always remained at the head of the business, and when on May 15, 1889, he organized the Pioneer Truck Company of San Diego, he became its president. He was at the same time also manager of the Julian and Stone- wall stage line.

On Christmas Day, 1869, Mr. Wescott was united in marriage with Susanna Gillam, a native of Arkansas, and they became the parents of five children : Clement H. is a resident of San Diego; Leona W., who is a graduate of the American Medical Missionary College, became the wife of G. R. Myers and resides in Mexico; Laura is a graduate of the Normal school and a teacher in Oakland ; and Ella and Mary, who complete the family, live at home. Mr. Wescott was made a Mason in San Diego Lodge No. 35, F. & A. M., is also a member of San Diego Chapter, R. A. M .; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Encampment; and is a member of the Society of San Diego Pioneers. Politically he is an adherent of the principles embraced in the platform of the Republican party, and in all matters of social and civic interest he lends his support.

FRANK O. POTTER. Only a very few of the men now prominent in the agricultural activ- ities of the Spencer valley can claim this vicinity as the place of their birth, and one of these few is Mr. Potter, who was born at Julian in 1871 ; however, although a native of this locality, he has not passed his life within the same environ- ment, hut on the other hand has traveled ex- tensively and been employed in different local- ities. At this writing he is the owner of two hundred acres of land, of which one hundred and sixty acres are in hay and forty acres recently have been planted in an orchard of the different varieties of apples. The farm is well adapted to apple raising and it is the owner's intention to make a specialty of that industry.

The father of Mr. Potter was a pioneer of the southwest. Stephen L. Potter (such was his name) was born in New York state and while still quite young engaged in driving stage coaches through Illinois, Iowa, Arizona, Montana, Utah and New Mexico, in the course of which work he had many encounters with the Indians and numerous narrow escapes. During those days of frontier existence lie was accustomed to carry both passengers and the government mail, and he performed his responsible duties in the face of many hardships, yet with unflinching courage and the utmost fearlessness. As early as 1856 he came to San Diego county and here married Mary E. Bush, a native of Iowa. Her father, I. H. Bush, at one time owned and operated a store at the Cascades in Oregon, but during the In- dian troubles the store was burned to the ground by the red men, and at the same time a large hotel that he owned was entirely destroyed.

Seven children comprised the family of Stephen L. and Mary Potter, but only three now survive, namely: Frank O. and Charles W., living near Julian ; and Hattie M., wife of J. W. Smith, of Paso Robles, this state. Mr. Potter engaged in raising stock in San Diego county and also owned various mining interests. In addition he drove the first stage between San Diego and Julian. During 1868 he established his home at Julian and took up a tract of raw land near the village. After many years on the ranch in 1883 he removed to Florida and re- mained there until 1899, when he returned to San Diego county an invalid, suffering from a stroke of paralysis. From that time he was practically unable to engage in work of any kind but lived in retirement until his death, which occurred in Spencer valley March 15, 1903, at the age of seventy-four years. His wife survives him and is physically and mentally active, not- withstanding her sixty-one years of useful activ- itv.

Their son, Frank O., was eighteen years of age when he left Julian and secured employment with a contractor and builder in Los Angeles, where he remained for two years. Next he went to Florida and became a clerk in a general store at Leroy, Marion county. A year later he se- cured work on the railroad, starting in as brake- man and working his way, in the course of nine months, to the charge of a mail and passenger train. For five years he continued on the rail- road and then resigned to return to San Diego county, where he took up agricultural pursuits. In 1906 he purchased a mercantile business in Julian and intends carrying a full line of general merchandise. During President Roosevelt's ad- ministration, in August, 1906, he was appointed postmaster.

On Christmas day of 1892 Mr. Potter was

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united in marriage with Miss Fannie Proctor, a native of Florida and a member of the Baptist Church. Four children were born of their union but two, Dorothy and Charles, died in infancy. Hazel Mary, born January 20, 1898, is a pupil in the local schools; and the only son, Kenneth Frank, was born in April, 1906. Fraternally Mr. Potter holds membership with Court Julian-Ban- ner No. 8522, Ancient Order of Foresters, at Julian, in the work of which he has been warmly interested. Though not prominent in local pol- itics, he holds stanchly to Republican views and always supports that party with his ballot.

GEORGE A. BLAKESLEE. A pioneer of California, George A. Blakeslee has experienced the hardships and privations incident to life in a new country, which have brought out the salient points of his character, and through it all he has retained a spirit of youth and enthusiasm that makes him an interesting and entertaining companion. Although eighty-five years old he can read readily without the use of glasses and can still write a good hand. He is well read and posted upon the present day topics and tikes the keenest interest in the affairs of his adopted state.

Born in Delaware county, N. Y., in the town of Franklin, September 8, 1821, Mr. Blakeslee was a son of Orator Blakeslee, a native of Connecticut, and Harsey (Kingsley) Blakeslee, a native of New York. They were married in Delaware county, N. Y., and later in life removed to Cleveland, Ohio, the death of the father oc- curring in Hudson at the age of seventy-eight years, while the mother died at the age of sixty- nine years. The elder Mr. Blakeslee engaged in farming throughout his entire life. He was a Whig in politics and later espoused the principles of the Republican party. In religion he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. George A. Blakeslee was thirteen years old when he was taken by his parents to Ohio, the journey being made by the Erie canal to Buffalo and thence by steamer to Detroit, near which city his father owned two hundred acres of land. After re- maining in that city for a short time they went to Cleveland, Ohio, where, adjoining the city, the father purchased fifty acres of land. Later they located in Claridon, Geauge county, (thirty miles east of Cleveland) for the educational ad- vantages, and in the schools of that place George A. Blakeslee received his education. May 2, 1843, he married Diana Howell, who was born in Huntsburg, that county, the daughter of John Howell. a pioneer of Ohio, who came from his native state of New York on an ox sled. He was a patriot in the war of 1812 and later re- ceived a pension.

After his marriage Mr. Blakeslee made his home in Ohio until 1850, when he removed to Illinois and in the town of Henry, Marshall county, established his interests as a nurseryman. At the same time he was also engaged in a mer- cantile enterprise. Going to Texas in 1857, he spent one year there, after which he came to California via the Isthmus of Panama, landing in San Francisco in March, 1858. The diary busi- ness in the vicinity of Sacramento engaged his attention for about a year, when he went to the mines in Placer county and spent a like period. Returning to Sacramento at the end of that time he engaged in the raising of vegetables, even- tually disposing of these interests and following ranching in San Luis Obispo county for three years. He next lived in Ventura county for about three years engaging in grain raising on the Lagoona ranch. In June, 1875, he came to Los Angeles county, and after spending one year in that city he rented a ranch near Graham, where he made his home for six years. In 1882 he purchased his present ranch, which consisted then of five acres, although he owns but two and one half at the present time.

Mr. Blakeslee's wife died May 4, 1892, at the age of eighty-one years and ten days, after forty- nine years and two days of married life. She, was a member of the Christian Church, a woman of rare worth and character, a devoted mother, wife and friend. They were the parents of two children, namely: Carey M., who married Liz- zie Russell and had two children, his death occurring in 1889, at the age of forty-three years; and Julia, who married Thomas Dick- erson and has three sons living and one deceased. One of her sons is in the employ of the quart r- master of the station of Manila, Philippine Islands. Mr. Blakeslee is a Republican in roli- tics, having cast his first vote for Henry Clay, in 1844. He served as justice of the peace of Solano county, Cal. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of a Masonic Lodge of Los Angeles and has been a Master Mason for fifty-seven years.

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A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, also containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present, Volume I, Part 135

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