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 141

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

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Leaving home at the age of eighteen years to seek his fortune in a new country, Donlick McGrath came to New York City, and the en- suing three years was employed as a foundry- man, working either in that city or in Brook- lyn. In 1858 he made an entire change of resi- dence and occupation. Coming to Alameda county, Cal., he worked as a ranchman in Liver- more for two years, and having accumulated some money he invested it wisely, buying one thousand head of sheep, and for four years car- ried on a substantial business as a breeder and raiser of sheep. Selling his-stock at an advant- ageous price, he settled in the Santa Clara val- ley, hecoming a pioneer of Oxnard, and from that day until this he has been intimately asso- ciated with its agricultural, industrial and social growth and prosperity. A man of unbounded

& a. Rocha

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

energy and enterprise, he has been very fortun- ate in all of his undertakings, exercising good judgment and wise forethought in his labors and investments, and becoming one of the largest landholders of this section. He owns one ranch of six hundred and forty acres, another of three hundred and twenty acres, and very recently he gave to one of his sons a valuable farm. In the care and management of his agricultural inter- ests Mr. McGrath receives satisfactory results, raising large quantities of hay and beans, the latter averaging twenty sacks to the acre, which is a large and profitable crop.

In 1856 Mr. McGrath married Bridget Don- lan, a native of Ireland, and of their union ten children have been born, namely: Mary M., wife of Bernard Hawley, of Oakland; Maggie : Millie, wife of James Leonard; Lizzie, wife of Thomas Cormick; Josephine, wife of James Dowd; Nellie: James H .: Joseph D .; Frank, and Robert. Mrs. McGrath, who was a woman of fine character, and an exemplary wife and mother, died on the home ranch in 1878. Polit- ically Mr. McGrath is independent in his views, voting for the best men and measures, and re- ligiously he and his family are consistent mem- bers of the Catholic Church.

JACINTO ANTONIO ROCHA. De- scended from an ancient and aristocratic Cas- tilian family, whose representatives were hon- ored alike at the court of Spain and in the empire of Mexico, Jacinto Antonio Rocha has an ancestry of which he may well be proud. It was his great-grandfather who founded the name in the new world. Among the children of the original immigrant were Capt. John Rocha, Gen. Sostenes Rocha and Gen. Pablo Rocha, all of whom gained their titles through efficient services in the Mexican army. The sole survivor of the three brothers is Pablo, now a very aged man, who still makes his home in Mexico amid the scenes where long years ago he won his epaulets by gallantry on the battlefield.

At the close of his war service Capt. John Rocha came to California and settled in Los Angeles county, where he and his brothers had a grant of land. He married a sister of Manuel Dominguez and became interested in the Dominguez rancho, where he remained until death. In his family was a son, Man- uel, who was born in the state of Zacatecas, Mexico, and lived for some years on the Do- minguez rancho in Los Angeles county, but afterward settled in Old San Diego and there died at the early age of twenty-seven years. A few years before his death he had married Maria Machado, who was born near Wilming-

ton and died in the same town. Antonio Machado, her father, was a stockman by oc- cupation and belonged to a very old family of Spanish lineage. At the time of his death he had reached the age of more than four score years.

The only child of Manuel Rocha was a son, Jacinto Antonio, who was born near Wil- mington, Cal., June 15, 1853. While he was still quite young his father died and his moth- er married a second time, becoming the wife of George W. Oden, a native of West Vir- ginia. For a time Mr. Oden had a carpenter and wheelwright's shop in Wilmington, but later worked at his trades in Los Angeles, and Mr. Rocha learned the two trades under the supervision of his step-father, while at the same time he was also given a common- school education. Before he was twenty-one years of age he began to take contracts in Wilmington and Los Angeles and has since continued in the same business, having in the mean time erected many substantial resi- dences in Los Angeles, San Pedro, Wilming- ton, Long Beach, Ocean Park, Santa Monica, and in San Bernardino county. In addition to private residences he erected the Carnegie library at San Pedro. the San Pedro high school building, the Fraternal hall, and the R. D. Sepulveda block, besides a number of other public buildings in the county, being recognized as the leading contractor of San Pedro. His home is in Los Angeles, where he erected a comfortable residence at No. 234 West Fifteenth street. At one time he owned fifteen hundred and fifty acres of the old Do- minguez grant near Wilmington, but this he sold some years ago and it has since been known as the German settlement. Besides his interests in contracting, he has purchased min- ing stock and now holds shares in mines at Bull Frog, Goldfield and other noted fields. In politics, though not active, he is a stanch Democrat and always votes the party ticket. The lady who became his wife in Los Ange- les in 1874 bore the maiden name of Magda- lena Higuera and was born in LaPaz, in the peninsula of Lower California, but came from there to Los Angeles during her girlhood years. They are the parents of three children now living. Magdelena. Jesse and Hubert.

O. HOOVER. The presence of large tracts of range and pasture land in Santa Barbara county renders possible the profitable manage- ment of stock farms, and Mr. Hoover is among the number who have followed this line of work with a gratifying degree of success. For some years he has owned and occupied a ranch

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of four hundred and twenty-nine acres, of which one hundred and fifty acres are under cultivation to barley, beans and mustard. In addition to the homestead he has leased one tract of two thousand acres and another of six hundred acres, thus securing an abundance of pasture for his herds of stock, including two hundred head of cattle, fifty head of horses and mules and a dairy of seventy-five cows. The breeding of fine horses is one of his specialties, and on his farm he has a Percheron stallion of excellent pedigree and fine qualities.

Mr. Hoover is a member of an old southern family, being a son of B. B. Hoover, who was born in Hardin county, Ky., became a farmer near Bedford, Iowa, served for many years as a member of the county board of supervisors, maintained an active interest in local politics as a member of the Republican party, and after a useful and prosperous life passed from earth in February, 1906, at the age of seventy-nine years. His wife, who was Mary A. Hinkle, a native of Lee county, Ill., is now living at Bed- ford, Iowa. In religious views both were in sympathy with the doctrines of the Unitarian Church. Their family comprised ten children, of whom one daughter lives in Lake county, Cal ... another in Washington, D. C., and four in Bedford, Iowa, while one son is engaged in the stove manufacturing business at Quincy, Ill., and holds an influential position among the business men of that city.

The common schools of Bedford, Iowa, in which town he was born January 9. 1860, af- forded Mr. Hoover fair educational opportuni- ties, and after having finished his schooling he tanght for three terms. Later he engaged in farming and became the owner of a farm near Bedford, but sold out in April, 1890, and came 10 California, settling in Antelope valley, Los Angeles county. Two years later he removed to Santa Barbara and for two years carried on a grocery business. On selling out his stock of groceries he removed to Santa Rita, where he purchased forty acres. Two years after- ward he sold the land and bought the property near Lompoc. Santa Barbara county, which he now owns and superintends. While giving his attention closely to the management of his ranch he neglects no duty that falls upon a public-spirited citizen, but is progressive, en- ergetic and aids in measures for the general good. Politically he votes the Democratic ticket. For some years he has officiated on the Santa Rita school board, while his wife is a member of the high school board at Lompoc. Both have been earnest Christians and con- tributors to religious movements. and while formerly identified with the Presbyterian de- nomination. in their present location are iden-

tified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally he holds membership with the Woodmen of the World and Knights of Pyth- ias, while with his wife he is identified with the Rathbone Sisters at Lompoc. She also be- iongs to the Eastern Star and Rebekah orders.

In the family of Mr. Hoover there were three sons. The eldest, Buford, married Miss Rose. Burbridge of Santa Rita. The second son, Francis O., is now a senior in the State University at Berkeley, and the youngest son, Hubert Don, is a sophomore in the same in- stitution. Mrs. Hoover, prior to her marriage in 1882, was Miss Keturah Hardenbrook, and is a descendant of Revolutionary ancestry, also the granddaughter of pioneers of Morrow county, Ohio. Her parents, Francis and Nan- cy (Kelly) Hardenbrook, were natives of Rich- land county, Ohio, and Northumberland coun- ty, Pa., respectively, and made their home on a farm in Ohio until 1850, when they removed to Illinois and settled at Monmouth, the na- tive city of Mrs. Hoover. In that place the death of the mother occurred when she was fifty-five years of age. Eventually the father removed to Iowa, where he spent his last days with his daughter, Mrs. Hoover, at Bedford, and died there at the age of eighty-six years. In his family there were thirteen children, of whom one son lives in the Santa Rita valley, Santa Barbara county, Cal., another son at Bedford, Iowa, one in Idaho, one in Nebraska. and one in Montana, while one of the daugh- ters makes her home in Iowa. The family were members of the Presbyterian denomination and Mrs. Hoover was reared in that faith. Dur- ing young womanhood she attended Mon- mouth (III.) College. Possessing a gentle Christian character, amiable traits and a kind heart, supplementing an excellent education, she has a high social standing in the vicinity of Lompoc, and numbers many friends among the best people of Santa Rita valley.

SAMUEL C. WILHITE. Among the na- tive-born citizens of California conspicuous for their intelligence, ability and superior business tact is Samuel C. Wilhite, of San Pedro. Asso- ciated with the lumber interests of this part of the state since a young man, he has been an ac- tive factor in developing and promoting its trade. and as a lumber inspector has few equals; being quick of apprehension and very accurate in his measurements and calculations. A son of W. L. Wilhite, he was born, April 26, 1863, in Ukiah, Mendocino county.

Born and reared in Mississippi. W. L. Wilhite engaged in agricultural pursuits when young, and in 1857 came across the plains with ox-teams to

Sig. Steiner

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

California, hoping in this region to find the veri- table garden spot necessary for successfully car- rying on his chosen occupation. Purchasing land near Ukiah, he lived there until 1872, when he removed to Orange county, where he was for a number of years prosperously employed as a horticulturist. He now resides in Santa Ana, his home being on Hickey street. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Short, was born and. reared in Missouri. Ten children blessed their union, and of these eight are living : Samuel C., the subject of this sketch, being the fourth child.

Brought up on a ranch in Orange county, Samuel C. Wilhite was educated in Santa Ana, attending first the public schools, and completing his studies in the private school of Prof. T. N. Wells. Entering the employ of J. M. Griffiths in 1883, he worked as a common laborer in the lum- ber yards for six months, in this position showing such adaptability and intelligence that he was promoted to foremanship of the yard, remaining as such for three years. He was subsequently shipping clerk for the San Diego Lumber Com- pany two years, and on resigning the place came to San Pedro, and for a year thereafter was em- ployed at the United States custom house. The ensuing eighteen months he served as lumber in- spector for the San Pedro Lumber Company, after which he returned to Orange county, and for four years occupied a similar position with the Newport Wharf and Lumber Company. Coming again to San Pedro in 1893, he established him- self as an independent inspector and has since carried on a substantial and remunerative busi- ess in this line, his ability and accuracy being recognized and appreciated, and his services in constant demand.

In 1902 Mr. Wilhite, with Messrs. Coleman and Mahar, the latter of whom is now president of the San Francisco Lumber Association, or- ganized the Lumber Surveyors' Association of Southern California, which started with ten mem- bers, and has now a membership of twenty-two men, and has eight apprentices outside of the association. Of this organization, which has done much to improve the lumber business, and to assist the manufacturers and dealers in get- ting competent help. Mr. Wilhite was secretary from its incorporation until June, 1905. when he resigned the position. Politically Mr. Wilhite is a zealous adherent of the Democratic party.

SIG. STEINER. Prominent among the most highly esteemed and influential citizens of Escondido is Sig. Steiner, who has materially assisted in the building up of the city, the growth of which has been rapid and sure. He has been one of the most interested witnesses of its prog-

ress and development, and no unimportant fac- tor in bringing it to its present proud position. A man of great financial and executive ability, he has been actively identified with the estab- lishment of beneficial projects of whatever na- ture, liberally supporting all enterprises condu- cive to the higher interests of the general public. As one of the leading merchants of this city. he is carrying on a substantial business, by his courtesy, integrity and honest dealings with all having won a lucrative patronage. Affable. genial and kind-hearted, with a cheerful and hearty greeting for everybody, he is especially popular with the traveling men, who invariably speak of him in the highest terms, even though he may buy no goods of them. For more than twelve years Mr. Steiner, as mayor of the city, was at the head of the municipal government, during which time he was active in securing enough money to liquidate the city's indebtedness, and in his official capacity was master of cere- monies at the memorable time of "bond burn- ing," and wiping out the indebtedness of the Es- condido irrigation district. A son of Leopold Steiner, he was born, April 3, 1869, in Auburn, Placer county, Cal., is a "native son" and of pioneer parentage, a fact in which he takes justi- fiable pride.

A native of Austria, Leopold Steiner was born and reared in Schultzenrich, coming from Ger- man stock. Immigrating to the United States in 1850, he came by way of New York City and the Isthmus of Panama to San Francisco. Going immediately to the mining regions, he was for some time engaged in mercantile business at Rat- tlesnake Bar. From there he went to Placer county, and located in the old town of Auburn, where he soon became very influential in busi- ness affairs, running the hotel now known as the American house, engaging in the manufacture of flour, and establishing a general mercantile busi- ness. Removing from Auburn to San Francisco he became the pioneer seller of water for do- mestic purposes, buying a wagon and estab- lishing a route, a venture that proved lucrative, and was the forerunner of the city's present system of water works. He subsequently en- gaged in the transfer business, being a pioneer in that line also, and built up an extensive and profitable industry that grew with the city, as- suming large proportions in a comparatively few years. Selling out his interest as a transfer agent in 1900, he has since lived retired from ac- tive pursuits in San Francisco, being now in the seventy-third year of his age. He is a man of prominence in fraternal circles and for more than forty years has belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His younger brother, Samuel Steiner, came with him to California, and for many years was one of the leading merchants

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of San Diego, being head of the firm of Steiner, Klauber & Co., until his death, in 1892. Leopold Steiner married Julia Popper, who was born in Bohemia, near Prague, came with her brothers to San Francisco in early times, and died in that city December 29, 1904.

· The second child in a family consisting of three daughters and one son, Sig. Steiner was brought up in San Francisco, where he attended the public schools, completing his early educa- tion at an academy. Going to San Diego when a boy of thirteen years, he entered the employ of the then well-known firm of Steiner, Klauber & Co., and under Simon Levi, junior partner and manager, became familiar with the details of mercantile business, remaining in the store as a clerk for about five years. In 1886, forming a partnership with P. A. Graham, under the firm name of Graham & Steiner, he established him- self as a merchant in Escondido, opening a store in a small frame building, one of the first in the town. Mr. Steiner had previously had but lit- tle experience in buying goods, but Mr. Graham had formerly been proprietor of a small store in Bernardo. At the time this firm started in Es- condido there were only thirty-two houses in the valley, but it prospered, its business increasing every year. In 1895 more commodious quarters being required to meet the demands of the trade, Messrs. Graham & Steiner erected a large, two- story brick building, the material for which, with the exception of the pressed brick shipped from the east, was burned here. This building, in the heart of the city, is the finest business block in the county outside of the city of San Diego. When the firm started in business here there were ho railroads in this vicinity, and all of their goods were brought here by wagon, either from San Diego, thirty-five miles away, or from Stewart's Station, on the California Southern & Santa Fé Railroad, fourteen miles distant. On October 14, 1903, Mr. Steiner purchased Mr. Graham's interest, and has since conducted the business alone, under the present firm name of Steiner & Co. He is a man of much ability and wisdom, and has accumulated considerable wealth, owning valuable residence and business property in Es- condido, and being one of the stockholders of the First National Bank, which he assisted in organ- izing.

Politically Mr. Steiner is a true-blue Republi- can, and is ever mindful of the interests of the city, which he has served wisely and acceptably in many positions of importance. For several years he was mayor, and since his election as city trustee in 1894 has served in that capacity con- tinnously, being re-elected in 1898 and in 1902, and during the entire time has been president of the board. Fraternally Mr. Steiner is a thirty- second degree Mason, joining the order June IO,

1900, and is now a member of Consuelo Lodge No. 325, FF. & A. M., of Escondido; he also be- longs to San Diego Chapter, R. A. M., to San Diego Consistory No. 6; to Al Malaikah Temple A. A. O. N. M. S., of Los Angeles ; to Themis Lodge No. 146, K. of P., of Escondido, of which he is a past chancellor, and which he has repre- sented nine times at the Grand Lodge, and to the Dramatic Order, Knights of Khorassan, of Zerin Kapi Temple No. 52, of San Francisco, also is past patron of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 154. Mr. Steiner was one of the organizers of the Escondido Chamber of Commerce, and has al- ways been actively identified with the advance- ment of the city's prosperity, either in a business or social way.

NAT E. HEACOCK. As manager of the Barbour ranch of thirty acres located in the vicin- ity of San Gabriel, Nat E. Heacock is associated with the fruit men of this section and has proven himself a well posted and enterprising worker in this line. He is a native of California, al- though not of this section, his birth having oc- curred in Lompoc, Santa Barbara county, April 8, 1885. His parents, Horace and Mary ( Mc- Clure) Heacock, were born respectively in Sacra- mento, Cal., and Vermont : the mother died leaving a family of three children, and by a second marriage his father has six children. He resides in Goleta. Santa Barbara county. The paternal grandfather, Edwin H. Heacock is now acting as United States commissioner at San Francisco.

Nat E. Heacock received a preliminary edu- cation in the common schools of Lompoc, and also attended at Carpinteria, after which he took the Scranton Correspondence course in mechanical drawing. He was first employed as a fireman on the Southern Pacific Railroad, but shortly afterward gave this up and returning to Carpinteria became interested in the culture of strawberries. He was located in that vicinity for about five years and engaged in this work. experimenting and learning much that has since proved valuable information for others in a sim- ilar occupation as well as for himself. He was located for a time in Lompoc and engaged in mustard growing in partnership with his brother, but being offered the position which he 110W holds, he came to Los Angeles county and im- mediately assumed charge of the Barbour ranch. This consists of thirty-five acres of land, about seven acres being devoted to strawberries, and the remainder in other berries and fruits, one acre in pears and table grapes, one-half acre in Catawba grapes, one-half acre in blackberries, and eight acres devoted to vegetables. Eighteen acres have been set to walnuts. In the busy season

Stephentt. Saft

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mr. Heacock employes eighteen men, while the year around he keeps five busily at work. He thoroughly understands his business and through the science which he brings to bear in his labors he secures results where many others fail. His splendid energy and constant activity have con- tributed very materially toward his success, with- out which ability alone would not count much in achievements.

November 24, 1906, Mr. Heacock was united in marriage with Miss Annie Lowry, a native of Whittier, and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William L. Lowry. who are now residing in that place. Mr. Heacock is a member of the Foresters of America; politically he reserves the right to cast his ballot for the man he con- siders best qualified to discharge official duties.

STEPHEN HARRIS TAFT. The geneal- ogy of the Taft family in America is traced back to the year 1675, when Robert Taft crossed the ocean from England and became a pioneer of Massachusetts. From the Indians he pur- chased a large tract of land at Mendon and this purchase was afterward recognized as valid by the colonial government. On the Black Stone river near Oxbridge he built the first gristmill along that stream and in return for his service in so doing he was exempt from taxation for a number of years. Five sons comprised his family, these being Robert, Thomas, Daniel, Joseph and Benjamin, the last- named of whom, a member of the Society of Friends, being the progenitor of Stephen Har- ris Taft of Sawtelle. The Ohio family of this name descend from the same ancestry, their most distinguished representative in the pres- ent generation being Hon. William H. Taft, member of President Roosevelt's cabinet and formerly identified with the American occ11- pancy of the Philippines. He is a son of Judge Alphonso Taft, who was secretary of war un- der President Grant.

From Massachusetts Nathaniel Taft trans- ferred one branch of the family to New Hamp- shire and settled at Richmond, Reared in the Quaker faith, he was devoted to that branch of the society which embraced Unitarian views, being the same that were held later by James Greenleaf Whittier, the popular Quaker poet of the nineteenth century. Among the children of Nathaniel Taft was a son, Stephen, born and reared at Richmond. N. H., and throughout active life a farmer. During the early '20s he removed to New York and for three years lived in Otsego county, thence re- moved to Oswego county. While making his home in Fulton, N. Y., he died in 1861, and in the same town occurred the death of his wife.

who was Vienna Harris, a native of Rich- mond, N. H. Ten children comprised their family, three of whom died young. Three sons and four daugliters attained mature years, namely: Miranda, deceased; Elizabeth, resid- ing in Oswego county, N. Y .; Vienna and Susanna, both deceased; Stephen Harris, the eldest son who attained maturity ; Lorenzo P., formerly a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but now deceased; and Jerome B., who was a Unitarian minister and bore a prominent part with James Lane and others in the settlement of Kansas, but is now deceased. The first-born son, Stephen, died in infancy, and the seventh child, Electa, also died an in- fant.

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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 141

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