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 142

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 142

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Near the city of Oswego, in New York, on the 14th of September, 1825, occurred the birth of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. As a boy he attended the common schools and later was a student in an anti- slavery Baptist institution, known, as New York Central College. In 1850 he entered the ministry and at different periods established two Christian Union congregations at Mar- tinsburg, N. Y., and Humboldt, Iowa. Dur- ing 1862 he removed to Iowa and bought ten sections of land in Humboldt county, return- ing east the following year and bringing back with him a colony of twelve families. To each family he conveyed eighty acres at $1.50 per acre, which was the cost to him. While de- veloping the land, and erecting flour and saw- mills, he also laid out the town of Springvale (now Humboldt) and there established a con- gregation now known as Unity Church, of which he remained pastor for several years.

While it might be difficult to name the greatest work of Mr. Taft's busy life, many of his friends deem it to be the establishment of Humboldt College at Springvale (now Hum- bolt). Iowa, founded in 1869, by men whose views were expressed in the articles of incor- poration :

"We, whose names are hereto subscribed, recognizing the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, associate ourselves for the purpose of encouraging liberal education by the establishment and maintenance at Springvale, Humboldt county, Iowa, of an in- stitution for the education of youth in litera- ture, science and enlightened Christian moral- ity, without regard to sex, race or religions sect. The fundamental, object of this associa- tion is to establish and maintain an education- al institution which shall be forever free from sectarian control, and no change shall ever be made in its character in this respect without the expressed consent of all its donors and the return to all contributors, their heirs, execu1-

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tors or assigns, who shall request the same, of all funds by them contributed, together with legal interest on the same." The original of- ficers of the association were Stephen H. Taft, president ; Ira L. Welch, vice-president ; John Dickey, treasurer ; and J. N. Prouty, secretary. The illustrious Wendell Phillips once stated : "I feel a deep interest in Humboldt College, believing that it sustains an important rela- tion to the political, moral and religious wel- fare of a large section of our common coun- try," and Rev. Edward Everett Hale gave as his testimony that he thoroughly endorsed "the educational enterprise represented by my friend, the Rev. S. H. Taft." Under the ju- dicious financial management of Mr. Taft a stone building was erected on the campus at a cost of $40,000, and on the occasion of its dedication in the fall of 1870 the principal ad- dress was delivered by Hon. C. C. Cole, chief justice of Iowa. Since then the college has become a thriving institution and has been a power for good in the educational and relig- ious development of the youth placed under the care of its professors. Years after Mr. Taft had resigned as president the gentleman then occupying the position invited him to present to the college a life-size portrait of its founder. When the presentation was made President Peterson asked him to write be- neath the picture some sentiment as a me- mento. After some conversation Mr. Taft wrote. "I would like to be remembered for the good I sought to do." The portrait and the accompanying sentiment may still be seen on the walls of the college library.

Mr. Taft's views on the power of the ballot are fitly expressed in his address delivered be- fore the graduating class of Humboldt Col- lege, July 13, 1906, from which we quote as follows:

"There is today no other work half as im- portant to the welfare of our country or of mankind, as the redemption of our govern- ment from the control of the representatives of commercial brigandage and murderous greed, and bringing it back into harmony with the purpose for which it was founded, viz .: to establish justice, promote the public wel- fare. and secure the blessings of liberty to all. The present dangerous state of moral con- fusion and commercial and political corrup- tion would never have obtained, but for the thoughtless and corrupt use of the ballot, and by no other instrumentality can this nation be saved from certain destruction but by the bal- lot, thoughtfully, conscientiously cast. In this work of saving the nation with the ballot we need woman's help, and but for the malign

influence of the saloon she would have been enfranchised long ago.

"The ballot is the one distinguishing insig- nia of American citizenship which gives added value to all other privileges. It is the pal- ladium of American liberty. It is the X in the equation, equalling the sum of all other forces making for righteousness and safe- guarding human rights. The intelligent, con- scientious ballot is to the state what the Holy Spirit is to the church, its cementing, ener- gizing power ; while the ignorant, vicious bal- lot is to the state what a contentious, selfish spirit is to the church, a disintegrating, de- structive force. Washington said that if the Republic ever perished, it would be at the hand of its own citizens. If our nation goes down to destruction the cotemporaneous his- torian will probably say that its ruin was wrought by avarice, drunkenness and licen- tiousness, but the later historian, looking from a higher vantage ground of observation, will say that the Great American Republic was slain by ignorant and vicious ballots, by which were created environments fostering avarice, drunkenness and licentiousness, so that social order and justice were overborne by injustice and anarchy."

"We very properly honor the soldier who defends the country with his gun, but the gun is a negative force. It can kill the enemy but cannot build up the state. The ballot is a constructive force. By it the foundations of the state were laid. and by it the temple of liberty builded. The thoughtless vicious citi- zen with his ballot is a hundred fold more dan- gerous to his country, than a thoughtless vi- cious soldier with his gun, for the worst the latter can do is to slay some of his comrades, but the traitorous voter undermines the foun- dations of the state, and despoils the temple of liberty."

The marriage of Mr. Taft in Madison coun- ty, N. Y., in 1853 united him with Mary A. Burnham, who was born and reared in that county, and died in 1897 at Santa Monica. Cal. Mrs. Taft was a woman of superior ability, marked personal force of character and whose influence for good was felt by all with whom she came in contact. and was an inspiration to her husband in all his work. Six children were born of their union, namely: George, de- ceased; William J., who for four terms has held the office of district attorney of Humboldt county, Iowa ; Fred H., who is city attorney of Santa Monica: Sydney A., of Minneapolis, Minn. : Mary V. and Elwin S., both deceased.

From early manhood Mr. Taft was an eager advocate of every worthy reform, and fre- quently delivered lectures throughout the east

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in the interests of some worthy movement. Always firm in his devotion to the cause of temperance, he long has been identified with the Good Templars and in 1888 he left the Re- publican party in order to give his support wholly to the Prohibition movement. His in- telligent advocacy of anti-slavery made him prominent in the days when Abolitionists in- curred the risk of public censure and dislike, yet so convincing was he in argument, so agreeable in conversation and so logical in reasoning that he escaped the personal peril into which others of the same belief were con- stantly thrown. Julia Ward Howe, also a champion of anti-slavery, visited at his home, as did others scarcely less prominent in the movement. At the same time he met many prominent in other walks of life, distinguished statesmen, gifted teachers and popular poets, and among them all he recalls with especial delight many conversations with Henry Wads- worth Longfellow. While the excitement that culminated in the Civil war had reached a critical point after the death of John Brown, he delivered a discourse on the character of that noted man, in his church at Martinsburg, December 12, 1859. In compliance with the wishes of a very few radical Abolitionists the discourse was published immediately after its delivery. It was favorably noticed by the New York Independent and some other pub- lic journals, by reason of which notices the author received numerous orders for copies from all parts of the north. In the summer of 1860 Hon. Gerrit Smith and Rev. Dr. Cheever wrote to the author expressing hearty approval of the sermon. After the close of the war a second edition was published in com- pliance with numerous requests for copies. One of the letters relating to the discourse follows :

"Metropolitan National Bank, New York, February 12th, 1872. "Rev. S. H. Taft : "My Dear Sir :

"I send herewith the John Brown sermon. Accept our thanks for the privilege of seeing what you said in those troublous times, of the scenes of deep interest then transpiring.

"A friend seeing it on my desk wished very much to have it to send abroad, to a friend of Lord Byron. I told him it was your only copy. He said his friend, Mr. J. E. T., of England, had a portrait of John Brown and was a great admirer of his, for which reason he wished to send him the sermon, which my friend has read and likes very much.

"He has given me a check for $100 (which

I enclose) and in return wishes a copy of the sermon, if it can be obtained.

(Signed) J. E. Williams."

The following letter came from Rev. J. H. Morison, D. D., of Massachusetts :

"Milton, Mass., March 18th, 1872. "Rev. S. H. Taft: "My Dear Sir:

"I am glad that you are to have a new edition of your John Brown sermon published. I can easily understand the feelings of the New York gentleman who sent you $100 for the last copy you had of the old edition. It seems to me, considering the times and cir- cumstances under which it was delivered, a remarkable production, one of the mysterious prophetic utterances made under the impulse of a higher spirit than man's, which preceded the downfall of slavery. The way in which John Brown's name and acts, apparently so insignificant in themselves, connected them- selves with the uprising of a great nation against a terrible wrong, his soul 'marching on' the animating spirit in more than a million armed men, would be thought fabulous and incredible, if such an event had been narrated as belonging to the early history of Palestine and Rome. *

"I thank you for doing something to re- fresh our memories by bringing before us again so vividly the image of one whose name has been identified with the greatest move- ment of our age.

'Very truly yours. (Signed) John H. Morison."

After many useful years in Iowa Mr. Taft in 1895 removed to California in the hope that the change of climate might prove of bene- fit to his wife, but only a temporary improve- ment in health resulted and in 1897 she died at Santa Monica. As the agent and general manager for the Pacific Land Company in 1897 Mr. Taft undertook the building up of Barrettville, now known as Sawtelle. Here he erected the first cottage. planted the first trees, developed the streets and laid water pipes. Almost the first work which he at- tempted was the setting off of the school dis- trict, but he was able to secure the names of only thirteen pupils, and as fifteen were nec- essary, was held off for two weeks from set- ting off the district. Fortunately, he found four other children in a cañon that lay within the district limits, and so the work was begun which formed the nucleus of the present ex- cellent town school. While building up the town he never lost sight of the necessity of

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making it beautiful and neat, so streets were filled in and leveled, the schoolgrounds were beautified, and Fourth street was opened to the boulevard leading from Los Angeles to Santa Monica, after which the governor of the Home opened a new avenue, as a con- tinuation of Fourth street to the Soldiers' Home. Somewhat later he laid out Taft's subdivision, also the Burnham and Central subdivisions to Sawtelle. In 1901 he resigned as general manager for the land company and afterward spent one year in lecturing under the auspices of the Anti-Saloon League.

At this writing Mr. Taft devotes much of his attention to his nurseries at Sawtelle, where recently he erected one of the beautiful modern and comfortable residences of that city. His specialties are soft shell walnuts, figs and grapes, shipments of which are made throughout the country. In addition he is prepared to fill orders for citrus and deciduous fruits. To him belongs the credit of propagat- ing the Californina Concord grape and the Kadota fig, which have attracted wide and favorable notice. As an arbor and table grape the California Concord has no superior. Its favor resembles the eastern Concord, but the fruit is larger and there are but one or two seeds in a grape, while the leaves are much larger and the vine more vigorous than the vine from which it takes its name. For some years Mr. Taft has devoted especial attention to its propagation, and in all that time he has seen no sign of blight or mildew on leaf, fruit or vine. The grape was given its name by Frank Wiggins, the secretary of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and one of the most distinguished horticulturists of the world. After eating of the fruit in the autumn of 1903 Mr. Wiggins suggested that as it resembled the eastern Concord, it might appropriately be called the California Concord, a suggestion which Mr. Taft immediately adopted. The Kadota fig, propagated by Mr. Taft, resembles the White Pacific, but is larger and sweeter, also the tree is more productive and of more vigorous growth. While making a specialty of the grape and fig which he propagated Mr. Taft also sells large numbers of soft-shells walnut trees. the several varieties of citrus and deciduous trees, and many flowering shrubs, the most beautiful of which is Cali- fornia's favorite flower, the Poincettia.

At the opening of the Lewis and Clark Exposition in Portland Mr. Taft made an exhibit of his specialties, and the California commissioners' superior jury of awards tender- ed him the bronze medal for his Kadota figs and California Concord grapes, as witnessed by the following communication :

"San Francisco, Cal., Jan. 5th, 1906. "Dear Sir:

"We take pleasure in handing you here- with the diploma and medal awarded you on your exhibit at the Lewis and Clark Exposi- tion and kindly ask you to acknowledge the same.

"We congratulate you on this testimonial of the merit of your display, and again thank you for your part in helping us maintain the credit and prestige of California at this ex- position.

"With best wishes for success during the new year, we remain,

"Very respectfully, (Signed) "The California Commission, "by J. A. Filcher, Frank Wiggins, "Deputy Commissioners."

The grounds of the Taft nurseries at Saw- telle are supplied with four thousand feet of pipe, more than fifty hydrants and three tanks, an exhaustless well and two pumps, one of them run by a windmill and the other by a gasoline engine. An abundance of water greatly facilitates the task of caring for the nursery stock. The modern conveniences, sup- plementing the keen oversight of the proprie- tor, enable him to fill orders with promptness and in a satisfactory manner, for which reason his nurseries have gained a high place among similar enterprises in this part of the state. The diversified abilities of the owner are abundantly indicated by the fact that in many diversified lines of activity he has been suc- cessful. Whether as a preacher, uplifting men and women from the human toward the divine ; whether as a lecturer, discussing topics of in- tense importance to the welfare of the country ; whether as the founder of an educational in- stitution, implanting in the young principles of truth, justice and morality ; whether as the up- builder of a town, working for the happiness of future generations, or whether as a nursery- man, giving to the little seedling the same care which in former years he gave to the growing youth ; in all of these varied lines of human ac- tivity he has made a name for himself, and even now, though past the age which we al- lude to as "young," he is still young in spirit, young in hope, young in optimistic enthusi- asm, and young in his sympathy with all that is uplifting and true and brave.

In 1902 Mr. Taft married Mrs. Etta (Burn- ham) Barber, a native of Madison county, N. Y., and a lady well qualified as a helpmate to him ; a leading member of the W. C. T. U., of California and in 1906 a delegate to the National Convention at Hartford, Conn. She

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is a member of the Congregational Church, and active in her work for all enterprises seek- ing for the betterment of society.

E. A. ROGERS. Directly descended from John Rogers, the martyr whose name is il- lustrious in the annals of the church and de- scended also from ancestors honorably and in- timately associated with the early develop- ment of America, Mr. Rogers is a member of a colonial family of Maine, where his par- ents, Francis S. and Rhoda T. (Rowe) Rog- ers, were born, reared and married, and where they remained upon a farm until death ter- minated their usefulness. In that state he was born March 23, 1849, and there he had the advantages of study in grammar schools, high schools and the Maine State Normal School. In order to secure the means neces- sary for entrance upon a business career he took up teaching and engaged in public-school work for five terms. The savings of these months were invested in business pursuits and in time he built up a business of considerable importance, one which rewarded his pains- taking industry with ever increasing profits. All of his early life up to eighteen years was devoted to farming, yet he had no special in- clination toward the occupation, the bent of his mind being toward commercial affairs. As his success gave him an increas-

ing prestige among his fellow-citizens he wielded among them an increasing influ- ence and more than once was chosen to rep- resent them in positions of local trust. For a time he acted as assistant postmaster in the town of Rangeley and also officiated as town treasurer, in addition to which he held various educational offices during a period of fifteen years. In his home county he was an active worker in the lodge of Odd Fellows and other fraternities, and also a leading worker in the Republican party.

A visit made to the Pacific coast in the fall of 1886 impressed Mr. Rogers favorably con- cerning the prospects of the west, and in all he made seven trips across the continent to the Sunset state in the interests of his health and business. During his various trips he made Los Angeles his headquarters and trav- eled throughout the state from north to south in search of a desirable location. In 1887, when the property was first put upon the mar- ket, he bought a ranch of one hundred acres at Clearwater und in 1898 he came to this place. On the ranch he usually keeps one hundred head of cattle, among them being forty or more milch cows, and he successfully

conducts the Lakeside Sanitary dairy, which makes a specialty of good milk. In addition to the supervision of the large dairy he is proprietor of the Lakeside hotel at Clear- water, and is well and favorably known to the traveling public who have enjoyed the hos- pitality of his house.

The first marriage of Mr. Rogers was sol- emnized in 1873 and united him with Miss May M. Henkley, a native of Maine. Four children were born of that union, one of whom died in infancy. Those now living are as fol- lows: Clarence A., who makes his home at Portland, Me .; Harry, E. and Ray E., both of whom reside in California. Mrs. May Rogers passed away in May, 1893. The second mar- riage of Mr. Rogers took place July 11, 1900, and united him with Emma M. Hall, who was born in Indiana and came to California in early childhood. Two children. Orrville A. and Thelma May, have been born of this union. In religion Mr. Rogers was reared in the Baptist faith, his parents and grandpar- ents having been identified with that denomi- nation, and in boyhood he served as clerk of the Free Baptist Church to which his parents belonged. Since then his views have changed concerning spiritual matters and he has em- braced the doctrines of theosophy. While liv- ing in the east he read and studied much upon this subject and investigation convinced him of the realities of theosophical views, which were so alien to the common sentiment of the people that only he and one other in all of the state of Maine accepted that religion as their own, at that time, but since then several societies have been inaugurated in that state.

O. A. WADLEIGH. A career worthy of emulation from many standpoints, strong and discerning in its recognition and acceptance of opportunity, is that of O. A. Wadleigh, an entensive rancher and promoter of the well- being of Newbury Park and vicinity. The ranch of fourteen thousand acres which he has under his control and supervision repre- sents but one of the numerous interests with which he is connected, and it is safe to say that the threshing outfit which he owns has no equal in point of equipment and excellence of work accomplished in this part of the coun- ty. His services are in great demand among the owners of grain and bean ranches espe- cially and as the latter commodities form the principal products of this locality. it can read- ily be seen why he is a very busy man.

Mr. Wadleigh is of Canadian birth and par- entage, born January 6, 1852, a son of Henry

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L. and Annis (Austin) Wadleigh. The father died in East Bolton in 1882, at the age of sixty-six, while the mother lived to attain her eightieth year, her death occurring in Cali- fornia. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bolton. Of the four children comprised in the parental family O. A. was the second in order of birth. The push and perseverance which have proved such marked characteristics in his later years were not wanting in his boyhood, but were simply directed toward different channels, and were especially noticeable in his studies. While still quite young he had mastered the common branches and had entered the high school, and was graduated from the latter when twenty years old. His plans for the future had been carefully laid in the mean time, and as soon as he left school he took the first step in carrying them out by coming to Cali- fornia. Going to Santa Barbara county he engaged as a rancher there for some time, or until coming to Ventura county in 1889. An experience of eighteen years in this county satisfied him that the combined conditions of soil and climate could be duplicated in no other locality, and the property which he had in the mean time occupied as a renter became his own. This consists of fourteen thousand acres not far from Newbury Park, all of which is devoted to grain and the raising of stock, the cattle and hogs being raised and fattened for the market.

The marriage of O. A. Wadleigh and Ger- trude Kleckner, the latter a native of Pennsyl- vania, occurred November 26, 1882, and has resulted in the birth of three children, Frank O., Fred H. and Dacy G. The same anima- tion and enthusiasm noticeable in his private enterprises is no less apparent in his endorse- ment of Republican principles, and in him his party has a stanch adherent. Mr. Wad- leigh finds relaxation from business cares by association with friends and comrades in the Masonic body, his membership being in Ox- nard Lodge No. 341. F. & A. M.

THOMAS P. CONVERSE. The establish- ment of Ramona Tent Village, consummated in 1902 by Mr. Converse, provides for the people of Southern California and eastern tourists a de- lightful place for recreation. A visitor bound for this unique spot travels via the Cuvamaca railroad to Foster and from the railroad term- inus proceeds via stage seventeen miles to the tent village, Mr. Converse's two-horse and four- horse teams covering the entire distance in three hours. Arriving at the destination one finds, at an altitude of fifteen hundred feet, a village

of tents spread tranquilly beneath the shade of the giant oak trees, while on every side in the distance the hills rise into massive moun- tains. Situated three miles from the town of Ramona, the village of tents stands upon a large tract, where every facility for amusement has been provided by the proprietor. A bowling alley built after the latest plans; a shooting gallery, equipped with the highest-grade repeating rifles ; a dancing pavilion in the center of which is a live-oak with its branches spread on every side ; lawn tennis grounds, croquet grounds, a ladies' tent with reading room and social parlor ; a tel- ephone service, daily mail, and indeed all the equipments that add to the pleasure and comfort of existence may be found here, while in ad- dition the visitor enjoys the comradeship of peo- ple of the highest refinement and culture. Dur- ing the day the guests follow their varied in- clinations for amusement, but at night they come together before the campfire, where stories are told, games played, and the evening hours quickly pass. It is the proprietor's aim to make the vil- lage less a sanitarium than a pleasure resort, hence those afflicted with tuberculosis of the lungs are not admitted, but such are accommo- dated in the town of Ramona, if so desired.

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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 142

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