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 138

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 138

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).

Mr. Johnson was unfortunate in being afflicted with rheumatism and in 1886 he decided to come to California in the hope of receiving benefit from the climate. It took him but a short time to (liscover that he was not improving in San Fran- cisco, the first point at which he stopped, and November 9, 1886, found him in San Bernar- cino county. In the meantime, however, he had settled in Riverside, but the extensive irrigation waters there made the air too damp and he came to San Bernardino. He sought relief from his

malady in Arrowhead Springs, the treatment there greatly benefiting him, for in six weeks he was able to resume work, and in all followed his trade there for three years. At the end of that time he came to San Bernardino and estab- lished himself at his trade, and later added job- bing and contract building. His shop is located at No. 479 Court street, where he has installed an adjustable saw of his own invention, for cut- ting ornamental trimmings, etc., the machinery being propelled by electricity.

Many years ago Mr. Johnson built his resi- dence at No. 1506 E street, where he owns over two acres of land, being also the possessor of other properties in the city. His marriage, which occurred October 27, 1887, united him with Miss Adelia Gustofson, born in Beckefos, Sweden, and of their union four children have been born : Charles, who died at the age of nineteen months ; Carrie, in the high school class of 1908, and Charles and William. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Carpenters' and Joiners' Union, attends the Presbyterian Church, is fraternally affiliated with the Woodmen of the World, and politically is an advocate of the principles embraced in the Republican platform.

NICHOLAS I. MASSEY. Preceded by years of valuable experience as a sawmill expert in various localities in Colorado, Mr. Massey came to California in December, 1903, coming direct to San Bernardino, although he finally set- tled in the vicinity of Squirrel Inn. The im- pression of his first stopping place in the state, however, had been a favorable one, for he re- turned to San Bernardino two years later and bought his present milling outfit, which has a capacity of ten cords a day. While he does a general milling business, he gives special at- tention to sawing wood for the markets, fur- nishing employment to seven men. The mill is iccated near Skyland, a mountain resort on the Arrowhead road.

A native of Illinois, born in Jersey county February 9, 1845, Nicholas I. Massey is a son of Benjamin Franklin and Maria (Coonce) Mas- sey. the parents dying in Illinois many years ago. After finishing his education in the schools of Jersey county Nicholas Massey turned his atten- tion to tilling the soil, having in the mean time gained much practical experience on the home farm under the direction of his father. The open- ing of the Civil war when he was only sixteen years of age fired the martial spirit within him and made life on the'farm dull and irksome. Be- fore the close of hostilities, however, February I. 1865, he enlisted in the service, becoming a member of Company B. Ninety-first Illinois in- fantry. With his command he served in the army

935

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of the Tennessee until the following July, when they were transferred to the Twenty-eighth Illi- nois regiment. Going first to Brownsville, Tex., he later participated in the engagement at Span- ish Fort, Ala., still later was assigned to picket duty, and finally was given fatigue duty, his brother taking his place as picket.

Receiving his discharge from the service of his country February 1, 1866, Mr. Massey returned to his home in Illinois, having been furnished with free transportation as far as New Orleans, and from there paying his own expenses up the Miss- issippi. Soon after his return, May 30, 1866, he formed domestic ties by his marriage with Miss Mary Spangle, who, like himself, is a na- tive of Illinois. Their only child, M. Etta, is a resident of Illinois. Up to the age of forty years Mr. Massey had been a continuous resident of his native state. but the year 1885 brought a change in his life, both regarding his occupation and lo- cation. Upon relinquishing his farm in - Illinois during the year last mentioned he went to Colo- rado and engaged in the sawmill business, erect- ing for the purpose a portable mill, which he operated there for fifteen years. Although he has been in California only a few years and in his present location only one year, indications point towards a successful and steadily increasing bus- iness. In his religious views Mr. Massey is a Seventh Day Adventist.

CASTANOS PAINE. An acquaintance with this rugged pioneer of the west, who now re- sides on his little homestead near Mesa Grande, brings out many interesting stories connected with his early settlement on the Pacific coast and enkindles our admiration for the men to whose judgment and energy the prosperity of our state today may be attributed. Now in the twilight of a very active life, he can look back over a past that brings recollections of the early settlement of California, the dark days of the Civil war, the later period of reconstruction, and the many thrilling events that have occurred within our country during the past half- century or more. The place where he now lives is remote from the scenes familiar to boyhood years, for he is of New England birth and was born at Charleston, Me., October 27, 1830, be- ing a son of Abner and Comfort (Winslow ) Paine. The parents were lifelong residents of that section of country and made their home up- on a farm in Maine, where the father died in 1884 and the mother in 1880, at the age of eighty-nine.

The village of Charleston not only possessed ordinary schools, but in addition boasted an acad- emy conducted under private auspices, and Castanos Paine enjoyed the privilege of attend-

ing this institution for a time. After leaving school he followed the sea for one year and arrived in San Francisco August 19, 1851, after which he engaged in mining in Tuolumne county and on the Yuba river. A year later he turned his attention to the raising of stock near Fort Redding, Shasta county, but after three years he disposed of his ranch interests and resumed mining in Tuolumne county. From that time until 1859 he met with considerable success in the mines. During the latter year he removed to San Jose and remained there until 1863, when he returned to Maine with the intention of en- listing in the Union army; however, circum- stances altered his plans and he saw no active, service. Two of his brothers were volunteers, Albert W. being a private in a Wisconsin regi- ment, while J. O. W. was captain of a company of Maine volunteers.

Returning to California in 1869 Mr. Paine made a brief sojourn in San Jose, but in the same year established himself in San Diego coun- ty and soon afterward became proprietor of a hotel in the Poway valley, also carrying on a stock business in addition to managing the hotel. In 1881 he gave up hotel-keeping, but he continued to raise and sell stock until 1905. when he sold out his ranch interests and his herds, desiring to retire from arduous ranching responsibilities. On removing from the ranch he came to his newly purchased tract of twenty- five acres in the suburbs of Mesa Grande, where he has a neat garden and a well-kept orchard. Ever since attaining his majority he has voted the Republican ticket at all elections. In Masonry he has been an active figure in Maine, having there identified himself with the blue lodge, chapter and commandery, and for a time holding official rank with the Knights Templar organization in the Maine village where he made his home.

The marriage of Mr. Paine was solemnized in San Jose in June, 1862, and united him with Theresa Mckean, a native of Illinois. They be- came the parents of eight children : Millie, who died November 20, 1906, was the wife of W. S. Flint, represented elsewhere in this volume ; Frederick W. lives in San Diego county ; Walter M. is engaged in raising stock and occupies a ranch near Julian; Jennie became the wife of Charles Morretti, of Mesa Grande; Ivy died in 1892; Lottie is the wife of E. M. Stall, of Ensenada ; Ethel is engaged in teaching school at Santa Ana: and Polly remains with her parents at Mesa Grande.

JEAN FAGES. As a workman who under- stands every detail of the business which he follows mention should be made of Jean Fages.

936

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

evidences of whose ability and handiwork may be seen in the numerous substantial cement side- walks and other cement structures throughout Pomona and vicinity. When he entered the em- ploy of L. Fleming he began at the foundation of the business, but good workmanship in the minor capacity of mixer led to his advancement until he finally became finisher, his present posi- tion. He is the oldest employe connected with the firm, and his painstaking and conscientious services are thoroughly appreciated by his superi- ors.

Mr. Fages is a Frenchman by birth, born in the town of Monein, Basses-Pyrenees, March 16, 1872, and is a son of Victor Fages, who was born in Hautes-Pyrenees. Throughout his entire life the father made his home in his native country, following farming as means of His wife, formerly Lucy Tuheil, comes livelihood, and his death occurred in Ar- bus.

of a family whose ancestors have been identified with France for over five hundred years. She was born near Monein, Basses- Pyrenees, and is now living in Arbus. Of the four children born to these parents three are liv- ing, and Jean, the eldest, is the only one in the United States. Born and reared in Monein, he attended the puble schools of that city and be- came fairly well educated. Reports of the favor- able opportunities awaiting young ambitious men led to his immigration to the new world in 1891, and the same year he made his way direct to Pomona, Cal., where for the past fifteen years his excellent qualities of citizenship and work- manship have made him a desirable and much esteemed resident. Without loss of time he was fortunate in securing a position in Mirande's winery in Pomona, remaining with this employer for seven years, when he gave this up, to accept a position with the Southern Pacific Railroad, with whom he remained for about fifteen months. Upon giving up his position with the Southern Pacific road he entered the employ of L. Flem- ing, a cement contractor of this city, and from the position of mixer he has advanced to the highest position in the gift of his employer, hav- ing charge of all contracts undertaken by the firm.

The family home at No. 538 West Tentli street, Pomona, is efficiently presided over by Mr. Fages' wife, who hefore her marriage was Miss Eliza Mirande, a native of Pomona. Her father, Grat Mirande, who was born in Basses-Pyrenees, France, came to America in 1862 by way of Pa- nama, at which time he was eighteen years of age. Coming direct to California he engaged in the sheep business in Pomona valley for some time, and later set out a vineyard on North Garey and Alvarado streets. This latter en- terprise finally led to the establishment of a

winery, which he supplied with grapes from his forty-three acre vineyard. His marriage united him with Sarah Martinez, who was born in Po- mona valley, the daughter of Nerde Martinez, an old settler and well-known cattleman in this part of the state. Mrs. Fages grandmother was born in Los Angeles, coming from one of the pioneer Spanish families of Southern California. Of her parents' thirteen children nine are living and Mrs.Fages is the eldest of the family. In 1901 Mr. Mirande closed out his interests in Cali- fornia and returned to France, where with his wife he is spending the evening of his life in the enjoyment of the competence gained in former years. Two children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fages, Grace and Alphonso, who are being reared in the faith of their parents, who are communicants of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Politically Mr. Fages is a believer in Republican principles.

P. W. DOYLE. The earliest recollections of this progressive horticulturist of Pomona are associated with the Emerald Isle, where he was reared and educated until he was a lad of thir- teen years, when, in 1849, the father came to America with his nine children, the wife and mother having died in Ireland. Continuing in the new world the life to which he had been accustomed in his native land, Patrick Doyle settled down to agricultural pursuits in the vici- nity of Auburn, N. Y., his death occurring there some years later. Before her marriage his wife was Catherine Wall, a native of Kildare, Ire- land. Nine children were born of their marriage, but of the number four are now living.

The youngest child in his parents' family, P. W. Doyle was born in county Kildare, Leinster, Ireland, in 1836, and until he was thirteen years of age received a fairly good education in the private schools of his native country. When almost too young to realize his loss a void was left in the home by the death of the mother, and in 1849 the father brought his children to America. Not wishing to be a burden to others of the family, boy though he was, P. W. Doyle immediately sought employment, which he as readily found. Later he went to Rochester, N. Y., and learned the carpenter's trade, and when only sixteen years old was competent to work at his trade independently, following the same in the east until 1864, when he removed to Cleve- land. Ohio. There in addition to work at the carpenter's trade he branched out into contract- ing and building, which he followed with ex- cellent success for twenty-one years, or until coming to California in 1885. The same year marks his advent into Pomona, at which time he purchased nine acres of the Kingsley tract, on the

I. B. Beck

939

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

corner of Olive and San Antonio avenue. The land was thoroughly piped for irrigation and also with water for domestic use, a feature which made it especially desirable, and one which Mr. Doyle keenly appreciated at the time of purchase. More water has since been secured by boring, and a pumping plant has also been established on the ranch. Mr. Doyle set out both oranges and prunes on his ranch, the latter proving an excellent and remunerative crop during the earlier days, bringing as high as $500 per acre, but when the prune market became overstocked he re- placed his prune trees with navel oranges and now has his entire acreage in this fruit. In addition to the care of his orchard he has fol- lowed contracting and building ever since com- ing to Pomona, and many fine residences, stores and churches are visible evidences of his superior knowledge and ability in this line, hie being the oldest contractor in the city. He is a stock- holder in the Kingsley Tract Water Company, Limited, this being only one of the many enter- prises in this locality which he has fostered and encouraged.

In Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. Doyle was married to Miss Helena Max, a native of Germany, and eight children were born to them, but one, James, died in Redlands, Cal. The others are Ed- ward in the laundry business in Redlands ; Thomas, a resident of Pomona; Alice, at home; Anna, Mrs. McGary, of Los An- geles ; George, in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad and a resident of Pomona : Mary, who is a bookkeeper for the Claremont Citrus Union, also of Pomona; and William, who is in the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad, with headquarters in Claremont. In national politics Mr. Doyle is a Republican, but in his choice of local candidates he give greater weight to the character of the man than to his party name.

CAPT. LEONARD BUCKINGHAM PECK. The title by which this pioneer of Elsinore is known, not alone to the people of his home town, but also to the wide circle of his acquaintances, comes to him through his official service in the Union Army during the period of the Civil war. At the time of the secession of the southern states he was teaching in Kentucky and already had made himself familiar with the question of slavery in all of its aspects, not only by reading, but more especially by observation. Fired with a spirit of zeal in behalf of the free- dom of the slaves and the preservation of the Union, he offered his services as a private, and September 20, 1861, was accepted as a men- ber of a company of Kentucky cavalry. At the expiration of his term of service he returned

to his home state, Ohio, and there recruited a company of volunteers, becoming captain of Com- pany F, One hundred and Seventieth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry. With his regiment he went to the front and served through the period of en- listment, after which he was honorably dis- charged. Immediately afterward he went to Illi- nois, recruited another company, enlisted the third time, and was chosen captain of Company H, Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, later be- ing placed in command of a battalion of eight hundred men at Springfield, Ill. When the war had come to an end and there was no longer need of volunteers in the army, he was honorably discharged in September of 1865, leaving the army with a record of which he and his might well be proud.

Jefferson county, Ohio, is Captain Peck's na- tive place, and May 17, 1839, the date of his birth, his parents being Robert and Sarah ( Hart ) Peck, both of whom are deceased. The grand- father, Capt. David Clinton Peck, served in the war of 1812 and participated in the memorable struggle of Tippecanoe. On the completion of common-school studies Captain Peck attended York Academy and then took up the profession of teaching school, which he followed for twen- ty-two years. The record for continuous work which he won as a school teacher was broken by the period of his army service. During his con- nection with the army he formed the acquaint- ance of William McKinley, for whom afterward he entertained the strongest admiration, and con- cerning whom he later gave this tribute:

"Scarch the record of the ages; trace it through all past time;

It will disclose no character more beautiful or sublime : The synonym of true greatness, his name will ever be Enshrined in the hearts of freemen and lovers of liberty.

"His lofty and gentle nature, adorned with Christian grace,

By kind deeds was exemplified, at all times, in every place.

His devotion, true and tender, to an invalid wife,

Emphasized both love and virtue, which lessen the storms of life.

"Upon fame's commanding summit, triumphantly he stood,

Still contending for man's birthright and the greatest public good ;

And when by the dread assassin the fatal ball was hurled,

His bright star had reached the zenith and its glory filled the world."

In addition to the memorial encomium from which the foregoing verses were taken, Captain Peck has written other poems that breathe a spirit of patriotism and an admiration for the true and the good. When a search for a more equable climate than the east afforded brought

940

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

him to the shores of the Pacific ocean, he ar- rived in Elsinore July 19, 1884, and since then has been identified prominently with the material interests of the town. Always a local leader in the Republican party, he has served as a member of the county central committee, for more than twenty years has been a member of the board of education, served about ten years as a justice of the peace and city recorder, for nine years or more filled the office of postmaster at Elsinore, has also served as deputy county clerk, deputy county assessor, city clerk, ex officio city assessor of Elsinore and notary public, all of which positions he filled with character- istic intelligence and fidelity. In the suburbs of Elsinore he has a beautiful home, where in the twilight of a useful existence he is surrounded by the comforts accumulated in former years and blessed by the confidence and deep regard of friends. In the quiet of his peaceful days his mind reverts often to the stirring scenes of the past and to the memorable epoch of the Civil war, "all of which he saw and part of which he was." Among his recollections is that of a trip by boat on the James river. In a conver- sation with the captain the latter told him that he witnessed the capture of John Wilkes Booth after the murder of President Lincoln and him- self carried the dead body from the place where it fell back to the city of Washington. As the captain knew Booth personally, he was quite positive concerning his identity. At the time some believed Booth to have escaped and insisted that the dead body was that of another man. which assertion the captain, from his personal acquaintance with Booth, was able to refute.

During one of his furloughs from the army Captain Peck formed domestic ties. His mar- riage was solemnized in Ohio September 14. 1864, and united him with Amanda Atkinson, who passed away at Elsinore April 20, 1898. Nine children were born of their union, eight of whom attained mature years. In, the order of birth they are named as follows: George A., born July 6, 1866, now residing at Pasadena : Leonard S., born March 18, 1868, now engaged in mining at Bodie, this state; Frank W., born January 22, 1870, who died in early manhood ; Junius C., born January 30, 1872, now engaged in mining in Nevada ; Clarence E., born Novem- ber 23, 1873, now connected with the Green hotel at Pasadena : Carver C., born April 5, 1876, resid- ing at Elsinore ; John E., born May 1, 1878, now a medical student in the University of Southern California ; Vernon L,, who was born March 26, 1880, and died at the age of four months ; and Reullura A., who was born November 19, 1882, and is the wife of Clyde Thompson, of Los An- geles. The family are identified with the Method- ist Episcopal Church, while in fraternal re-

lations the captain holds membership with Elsi- nore Post No. 103, and for years has been in- terested in the activities of the Grand Army of the Republic.

WILLIAM JEPHTHA FUQUA. The fam- ily represented by this prominent rancher and citizen of Lemon is of French origin, and became established in the new world by two brothers, who left France and settled in Virginia. From one of these brothers Rev. Isham Fuqua was directly descended, and his birth occurred in old Virginia, not far from the place where his ancestors settled. The trend of western immigra- tion in the period following closely upon the finding of gold in California witnessed the re- moval of Isham Fuqua to the west, his course lying along the southern route. Going direct to Julian, San Diego county, Cal., he put in a crop of wheat, and this proving a success he repeated his efforts the following season, having as his associates in this undertaking his two brothers-in-law, Hale and J. M. Hathaway. Sub- sequently Mr. Fuqua farmed in the vicinity of El Monte, Los Angeles county, later went to San Bernardino county, after which he came once more to Los Angeles county and purchased land in La Ballona district. The dry season of 1863-1864 caused him to remove with his stock into the Tehachapi district, in Kern county, two years later returning to his ranch at El Monte. Trouble of another kind was here awaiting, how- ever, for his ranch proved to be grant land and he lost it. Going back to San Bernardino county he bought land near Rincon, in Riverside county, making it his home until 1886, when he sold out his possessions and lived retired in Pomona until his death. He was an ordained minister of the Baptist denomination and filled pulpits in the various localities in which he resided, among them El Monte, Downey. Azusa and Rin- con. some of which churches he himself or- ganized. Politically he has been a stanch Demo- crat. He enlisted his services in the Mexican war, serving throughout the war as a member of a Texas regiment. His wife, formerly Joun Hathaway, was also a native of old Virginia, as was her father, William Hathaway, who was of English descent. Mrs. Fuqua also died in Po- mona, having become the mother of seven chil- dren, as follows: Dora, Mrs. R. M. Thurman. of Pomona; John M., also in Pomona; Mary, Mrs. Vines, of Los Angeles; B. F., of Fresno; William J .. our subject ; Serene D., Mrs. Hidden, of Berkeley; and Tennie, Mrs. Bowers, of Lemon.

Near what is now Palms, Los Angeles county, William J. Fuqua was born March 18. 1861.

941

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

When he was two years of age he was taken to the Tehachapi district and subsequently he fol- lowed his father's migrations for some years, having very limited educational advantages dur- ing his boyhood. Leaving the home farm in 1884 he struck out independently, his first work being as a farm hand on the old Puente ranch rented by Bob Taylor, with whom he remained one year. Later he hired out in the same capac- ity to Rhoades & Baker, owners of the Sentons ranch, of which two years later he was made foreman, a position which he filled efficiently for six years, giving it up at the end of this time to take charge of his own land. This purchase consisted of forty-five acres in the vicinity of Lemon, upon which he raised alfalfa exclusively, later selling this and reinvesting the proceeds in another ranch which he devoted to the same crop. Upon disposing of the last-mentioned ranch he again invested the proceeds in land, buying his present ranch of seventeen acres on Currier street, in Lemon. The entire acreage is in walnuts. One of the prime essentials to suc- cess in the raising of walnuts in an abundance of water, which is no doubt a large factor in Mr. Fuqua's success, his supply coming from the Swan Ranch Water Company, one of the largest pumping plants in this part of the county, he himself being a director and the president of the company. O. W. Longdon demonstrated his appreciation of Mr. Fuqua's capabilities as a public official by appointing him road overseer of the Spadra road district in 1898, a position which he held ever since, and judging from indications he is not liable to be released from duty. During his incumbency of this position he has built the roads from Pomona to Puente, graveled and oiled them, until they are now in fine condition and rank with any other country road in Southern California. The Lemon school district is another evidence of Mr. Fuqua's in- terest in the affairs of his home locality, he be- ing one of the most active factors in its organi- zation, and from the first had been a director and clerk of the board.

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 138

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