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 144

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 144

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The early childhood of Mr. Rockwood was darkened by the death of his mother, Lucinda (Kimball) Rockwood. When twelve years of age he accompanied his father, John, to Il- linois and settled near Ringwood, McHenry county, where the father in due time brought under cultivation a large and valuable farmi and in early days also followed the trade of a wheelwright, remaining at Ringwood until death. During the year 1851 B. B. Rockwood left the paternal roof and traveled overland to California, the journey with oxen consum- ing many monotonous months. Following his arrival he mined in northern districts. In 1857 he returned via Panama to Illinois, but in 1859 again started for the further west, this time settling near Neodesha, Kans., where he engaged in farming and stock-raising. His second removal to California occurred in 1876, when he established his home in the Sweet- water valley. From there in 1881 he came to San Pasqual valley and settled on land which he had purchased two years before. On this place he engaged in raising general farm prod- ucts and stock, and after some time he began to be interested in the dairy industry, which he found a profitable adjunct of general farm- ing. In addition he was interested in horses and brought the first registered standard-bred stallion ever in San Pasqual valley, this ani- mal being Prince Hinsdale, which he pur- chased at a cost of $1,200, and he also had other fine horses on his ranch.

For many years Mr. Rockwood served as clerk of the school board of his district and in other ways he promoted the local educa- tional interests. Liberal in views, broad in spirit, generous to those in need, a promoter of worthy movements and a contributor to projects for the upbuilding of the county, he lield a high place in the regard of the people, and when death terminated his busy career there were many to testify that a true friend had been lost and a man of fine character had passed from the valley so long his home. While living in Kansas he had married Ange- line Doran, who died in 1876. Four children were born of that union, namely : Clara, who is married and lives in Dixon, Cal .; Mrs. Nettie Bishop, of San Francisco; Emma, who died at the age of three years; and George, who died in San Pasqual valley at the age of twen- ty years. In May of 1878 Mr. Rockwood mar- ried Rachel Haynes, who was born in Mas- sachusetts, and now resides on the old home- stead in San Pasqual valley. Three children blessed their union, namely : Mary, Mrs. Peet, who lives on the home ranch: Lester, who was born in 1881 and with his brother-in-law,

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under the title of Rockwood & Peet, conducts the home ranch; and Lucy, also at home.

As mentioned, the management of the home- stead is now in the charge of Rockwood & Peet. The latter, Everett Peet, was born in Linn county, Iowa, in 1871, being a son of Rudolphus and Martha E. (Hewett) Peet, na- tives respectively of New York and Pennsyl- vania, but residents of Iowa from 1845 until 1886. During the latter year they came to the coast and settled on a farm near Escondido, where he died in July, 1903, at the age of six- ty-six years. Since his death Mrs. Peet has made her home in Escondido. When fifteen years of age Everett Peet accompanied his parents to California and settled with them near Escondido, where he attended school. In June of 1899 he married Miss Mary Rock- wood, by whom he has three children, Ver- non, Vernard and Clifford.

JOHN C. BARGAR. Standing prominent among the keen, wide-awake, quick-witted young business men of Ramona is John C. Bargar, an expert mechanic and plumber, who is widely and favorably known throughout this section of San Diego county, having charge, practically, of all of the plumbing and pumping business within a radius of twenty miles. Industrious and enter- prising, noted for his honesty and uprightness of character, he has won the esteem and confidence of the community, and holds high rank among its valued and trusted citizens. A son of Henry C. Bargar, he was born, August 7, 1870, in Mead- ville, Mo., where he grew to manhood's estate.

A native of Ohio, Henry C. Bargar spent his early life in the place of his birth. When the tocsin of war resounded through the land he was one of the first to respond to its call, enlisting in Company C, Fifty-first Ohio Volunteer Infan- try, in which he served for upwards of four years. Under command of General Thomas he participated in the battle of Shiloh, where he was severely wounded. At the close of the war he located in Linn county, Mo., taking up wild land, from which he improved a valuable farm, and on which he is still living, an honored and influential citizen. For ten years he was presi- dent of the Linn County Mutual Insurance Com- pany, and for a long time was also president of the Anti Horse Thief Society of Missouri. He is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He married Mary A. Loffer, who bore him eleven children, ten of whom are living, all, with the exception of John C., being settled near the parental homestead in Meadville, Mo. The mother is a true Christian woman, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

In 1891, having attained his majority, John C. Bargar left the home farm, coming to Cali- fornia in search of a broader field of action. Locating in Ramona, he engaged in ranching, continuing thus employed for four years. In 1895 he purchased an interest in a blacksmith's shop, but at the end of two years disposed of his share of the smithy and embarked in his present business. As a plumber and an installer of pumps and windmills he has no rival in this section of Southern California, his business in this line being extensive and lucrative. He does the most of the plumbing in this section, and has here erected over three hundred windmills, evidences of his work being seen in every direction. In his store he also carries a line of hardware and paints. Aside from his other work, he operated a feed mill, carrying on a thriving business in grinding feed. Progressive and enterprising, he was one of the organizers of the San Diego and Back Country Telephone Line, and in other ways has done much to advance the welfare of the town and country.

In 1896 Mr. Bargar married Ida M. Telford, who was born in Meadville, Mo., and came to Ramona with her father, George A. Telford, when Mr. Bargar came here. Mr. and Mrs. Bar- gar have one child, Florence, now six years old. Politically Mr. Bargar is a stanch Republican and for one term served as deputy assessor. Fraternally he belongs to San Diego Lodge No. 153, I. O. O. F.

MARIANO J. DUARTE. Descended from an old Spanish family, Mariano J. Duarte was was born in San Gabriel. Los Angeles county, March 8, 1872. His father, Mariano Duarte, a native of Spain, came to California in an early day and established the family fortunes in this section ; he was educated in San Gabriel Mission and there also married Conception Bustamente, who was born in Mexico. He had a family of nine children, of whom six are still living in California. He followed various occupations in the vicinity of his home until his death, which occurred in 1903, at the age of sixty-three years, his wife having passed away at the early age of thirty-nine years. Mariano J. Duarte received his education in the public school in the vicinity of his home, and after the close of his boyhood years he engaged as an apprentice to learn the blacksmith's trade. He was then located in Ana- heim. After about four years spent in that location he came to San Gabriel and followed his trade for three and a half years, when he established a similar enterprise in Savannah. He met with success in that location and with the ac- cumulated savings of two years returned to San Gabriel and established a blacksmith shop, which he has now conducted for about ten years.

Mrs. E. P. Hollins Crafts

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

In 1893 Mr. Duarte married Mrs. Maria Selma (Byre) Rogers, who was born in Leipsic, Ger- many, and educated in its schools. At the age of nine years she was brought to America by her sister, Mrs. Augusta Wagner, her mother having died when she was one year old. Her father was a man of magnificent stature, six and a half feet tall, and was a soldier in the Franco-Prussian war. Maria Byre attended a convent in Canada and at the age of twenty years left school and came to the southwest, where in Arizona she met and married James Rogers. He was born in Vicksburg, Miss., and educated in the schools of that section, after which he en- gaged as an engineer in Arizona. They became the parents of the following children : Charles, of Shorb, Cal .; Fannie, wife of Joaquin Poyoreno; Amelia; Cora, who died in infancy; and Leola, a graduate of Zeulenroda, Reuss principality, Germany, and now a student in the public school of San Gabriel. Mr. Rogers died October 16, 1889, in Pasadena. He was as- sociated fraternally with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Select Knights. Mr. and Mrs. Duarte have one son living, Alberto, now twelve years old. Mr. Duarte is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and in religion belongs to the Catholic Church. He is a Republican in politics.

MRS. ELIZA P. ROBBINS-CRAFTS. No name is better known or held in higher appreciation in Southern California than that which heads this review-one of the few, earn- est and devoted Christian women who gave to the upbuilding of the western commonwealth that impetus without which California could never have become the state it is today. For more than a half century she has claimed Cali- fornia for her home, having made the long and wearisome journey to the Pacific coast in 1854, the wife of a sturdy pioneer, with him braving the dangers and hardships of a primi- tive civilization, without him later facing them alone and courageously bearing her part in the burden of the years. Surviving the perils of those early days she has come to the evening of her life amid the grandeur of an accomplished civilization, has witnessed the passing away of the shadows and mists of un- certainties, the development of the unequaled resources of this magnificent state, and is con- tented that she should have helped in the up- building of her adopted home.

Mrs. Crafts was in maidenhood Eliza P. Russell, the youngest in a family of six chil- dren, two sons and four daughters, born to her parents. Her father, John Russell, was a son of Joel and Mary (Foster) Russell (the'

latter of English descent), and was born De- cember 14, 1789, in Hillsboro, N. H. His ed- ucation was obtained through the medium of the public schools and later through a well used power of observation, his general infor- mation and knowledge placing him high among his fellow citizens. He was a Bible student, and in young manhood became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, serving for years as superintendent of its Sunday-school and in many different avenues proving his ability and usefulness. He was a musician of unusual ability, one of the instruments he played being a bass viol, which he made him- self. In politics he was a Whig and an Aboli- tionist. His death occurred at the home of his son in 1875, at the age of eighty-six years. He was twice married, his first wife being Betsy C. Bucknam, who was born in Ipswich, N. H., in May, 1795.

They were married in the town of her birth, after which they removed to Unadilla Center, N. Y., in 1816, three years later. Mrs. Rus- sell was a near relative of Thomas Reid, the well known statesman. Her death occurred in 1828, when thirty-three years of age. Their eldest son, Ambrose Baxter, was educated at Geneva College and the New York Theologi- cal Seminary, although he was a man of such versatility of character and talents that he re- ceived much more benefit from his natural powers of observation than by the time spent over his studies. He became an Episcopal clergyman, his pastorates being in the south until after the Civil war, in which he lost much of his property, which was in Louisiana, after which he came north to Pekin. Ill., and there made his home until his death, which oc- curred at the age of seventy-five years. He was twice married. By his second marriage to Augustine Vallondeves, four children were born: John, of San Fran- cisco; Mrs. Justine Millard, of Peoria, Ill ; and Mrs. G. S. Slayden, of Clarksville, Tenn. Mary Foster Russell married Carlton Wads- worth in Newport, N. H., their home being in Henniker, that state, for some years; his death occurred in Norwich, Vt., in 1868, his wife surviving him many years and dying in the home of her son Edwin, in Grinnell, Iowa. at the advanced age of eighty-six years. One son, William, was killed at the battle of Wil- mington ; Edwin's widow lives in Chickasha, I. T. Aurelia Maria was educated at the Troy Female Seminary. She never married but taught in an academy in North Carolina sev- cral years, and also taught a young ladies' school in Maryland, near Harper's Ferry, and also a select school in New York; she died in her sister's home in 1852 at the age of thirty-

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two years. Fannie W. Russell married Rich- ard Blore, a farmer in Rookdale, Chenango county, N. Y., where she made her home until her death, which occurred in 1902 at the age of seventy-two years ; she has two sons, Will- iam and Russell, and a daughter, Mrs. Sarah Odell, living. George Washington married Caroline Austin when twenty years old and went west to Woodstock, Ill., thence to In- dianola, Neb., where for many years he was business manager and collector for the Mc- Cormick Threshing Machine Company; he he died at the age of eighty-three years, sur- vived by a son, Charles, and three daughters, Ellen, Eva and Belle. Eliza P. was the young- est child, her birth occurring November 29, 1825, in Unadilla Center, Otsego county, N. Y. Her father married the second time, Eliza- beth Gilbert becoming his wife, and born of this union was one son, Lewis Legrande, who is now living in New York and engaged in the conduct of a dairy farm.

The childhood of Eliza P. Russell was passed upon the farm of her parents, where she attended the public schools in pursuit of a preliminary education, and at the same time received the deep Christian training which made its most lasting impression upon her character as a woman. She was an imagina- tive child, fond of the silent dreams that only thoughtful children indulge in, loving books, the woods and fields and birds, and taking a pleasure in life unsurpassed. At thirteen years she became a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church and throughout the long years that followed has proven faithful to the vows taken at that time. She early resolved to be- come a teacher and accordingly all her plans and preparation were for this end. After leav- ing the public schools she attended an acad- emy at Herkimer, N. Y., for one term, after which she took up the study of French and the piano music being one of the noticeable talents of this family. The following summer she taught a country school and the following winter again attended school. In September, 1846, she entered the Troy Female Seminary, the pioneer ladies' school of the United States, founded by Mrs. Emma Willard, in 1819. in Waterford, N. Y., and removed to Troy in 1821. Leaving the institution in January. 1848, she secured a position as vice-principal of a seminary in Hillsboro, Loudon county, Va., and there spent the four ensuing years, enjoying the work and the pleasures which were hers in a hospitable southern state. While there she made many interesting trips through the country, visiting the Capitol, the White House, and other points of interest as well as brief journeys over the Shenandoah

valley. In December, 1852, she accepted a po- sition on a plantation in Louisiana, where her brother was then engaged as an Episcopal clergyman, and there she passed about two uneventful years.

Here, too, Miss Russell became the wife of one of California's pioneers, Ellison Rob- bins, the ceremony being performed by her brother on June 6, 1854. Mr. Robbins was the son of Ephraim and Elizabeth (Howland) Robbins, and was born near Unadilla Center, N. Y., October 8, 1820. His father was born in Plymouth, Mass., in 1793, his education be- ing received in the public schools of that place. after which he married and with his wife lo- cated on a farm in New York. They became the parents of three sons, Ebenezer, Eli and El- lison, and two daughters, Elizabeth and Emily. Ebenezer and his family were fine musicians on the piano, organ and guitar, as well as leaders in singing. The father was active in the moral reform work of that time and a strong Abolitionist. He died in 1842 at the age of forty-nine years while his wife passed away in 1869 at the age of seventy-five years. The boyhood days of Ellison Robbins were passed on his father's farm with no educa- tional advantages but the public school until he had attained his majority. At his father's death he received $100 with which to start in the world, and with this he entered Gilberts- ville Academy in preparation for his life work. He was graduated from Hamilton College in 1849 and the following year started for Cali- fornia by way of the Isthmus of Panama. He worked in the mines for a time but was de- frauded of $1,000 by his partner, after which he engaged in carrying provisions to the im- migrants crossing the plains. Soon after- ward Mr. Robbins secured the position of pro- fessor in the Methodist College at Santa Clara. and he remained so occupied until May, 1854. when he went east to meet his affianced wife, then in Louisiana, and there they were mar- ried June 6 of that year. Together they then went north to visit their old homes, remain- ing there until the last of October, when they again took passage for California, which was to be their future home. The cost of the pas- sage by steamer was $300 each, via the Nica- ragua route, twelve miles being made by mule- back, after which they again took passage on a steamer bound for San Francisco, being carried to the sides of the boat on the backs of the natives. Many and interesting were the events of this journey, and these now form an entertaining topic of conversation with Mrs. Crafts (after the death of her husband Mrs. Robbins was married to another pioneer, My- ron H. Crafts).

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The home of Mr. and Mrs. Robbins re- inained in Santa Clara until 1857, when he was induced to go to Los Angeles by Rev. A. L. Bateman to start a high school, but the town was in no condition for such an enter- prise. He delivered lectures in Santa Clara and San Bernardino on the important topics of the day, as he was a member of the Sons of Temperance. In January, 1858, they first came to San Bernardino, making the trip by stage, the town then having but three small stores and a few adobe dwellings. Both hus- band and wife taught in the public school there, and at the same time they established a union Sunday-school, the professor teaching them music and the wife accompanying them on the melodeon, which was a gift of Mr. Rob- bins to his bride and which was sent to Cali- fornia by way of the Horn. Because of ill- ness Mrs. Robbins and her husband gave up the public schools for some time, and then again in 1860 Mr. Robbins became the first county superintendent and was also deputy county clerk for a time and afterward taught in the Mill district. Regarding Mr. Robbins' work in these various positions too much could not be said, but space will not admit of a de- tailed account of the important reforms that were made, the work that was accomplished, the great progress that was made in the first few years of educational and moral effort in San Bernardino county. It was in February, 1864, that Mr. Robbins was taken ill with pneumonia and twelve days later passed away, the second day of March finding San Ber- nardino in mourning for the leader taken from them. Loving tributes were paid to his memory, which today holds a place in the lives of those who worked with him in those far gone days of the pioneers, and even in the hearts of those who have only heard of his courageous efforts from the remaining pio- neers themselves. Mrs. Robbins had two children, Ambrose, who was born in May, 1855, and died in December, 1858, and Rosa Belle, who was born Julv 29, 1861. The daughter was ill at the time of her father's death but recovered, grew to a beautiful and gracious womanhood, when she married L. Abbott Canterbury. He was a native of Mis- souri, and a son of Dr. Milton Canterbury, the father bringing his family across the plains to Corvallis, Ore., in 1865. thence in 1870 to the Sacramento valley, in California. Ten years later they came to San Bernardino coun- tv and in San Timoteo cañon homesteaded land. Finally locating in Redlands, the fath- er and son were about to engage in the drug business, when Mr. Canterbury came to his death by drowning September 11, 1890, while

bathing at Long Beach. By his marriage with Rosa Belle Robbins he had four children : Harry H., attending Leland Stanford Univer- sity ; Charles M., attending Pomona College ; Ellison R. and Laura A. attending the Red- lands high school.

Bravely facing the life ahead of her, Mrs. Robbins took up the work her husband had laid down, completing the school year inter- rupted by his death. Later she became the wife of Myron H. Crafts, who had been asso- ciated with the good work in the upbuilding and development of this section of Southern California. He was a descendant in the sixth generation of Elihu Crafts, who was one of the Pilgrims brought over by the Mayflower, and was born at Whately, Mass., in August, 1816. He became dependent upon his own re- sources at the age of thirteen years, and for a time was located in New York City, where he engaged as a clerk in a dry goods store, but eventually went into business on his own account in partnership with his brother, George Crafts. While in New York City, as a young man, he assisted in founding the Five Points Mission. Later he was located in busi- ness in Enfield, Mass., where, in 1843, he mar- ried Miss Miranda Capen, and of their chil- dren, three are now living : Mrs. Ellen Woods Meachem, Harry G. and George H. Subse- quent years found Mr. Crafts in Michigan, where he was engaged in mercantile enter- prises until 1861, when he resigned from the position he held of cashier in a Detroit bank, and in that year came to California. His wife had previously passed away in Michigan, Sep- tember 14, 1856.

In San Bernardino Mr. Crafts found an opening for his energies and ability, and was soon one of the foremost citizens in the devel- opment of that section. Especially was he ac- tive in religious upbuilding, through his ef- forts much of the early religious activity of the community being due. He was a mem- ber of the Congregatonal Church. There he- ing no denomination of that church in South- ern California, lie induced the mission board to send representatives to San Bernardino and Los Angeles; later he taught in its Sun- day-school and was superintendent after the death of Mr. Robbins, donated land for the crection of its buildings, and in every possible manner advanced its interests. He engaged in agricultural pursuits for a livelihood, purchas- ing the Altoona ranch then owned by his brother George, and there raised grain, set out orchards and vineyards, and marketed large quantities of ham, bacon and lard. Later he established a sort of sanitarium on his ranch, enlarging his house from time to time. and in

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fact eventually turning it into a hotel, where many distinguished people sojourned because of the climate and healthy conditions. This place became known and celebrated as the Crafton retreat. From his earliest settlement here Mr. Crafts had dreamed of colonization for the beautiful valley in which he lived, and after perfecting the water system he began to advertise the possibilities of the section. His first sale of land was to Judge Larabee for the use of his daughter, and following this were others, and finally the laying out of forty acres in town lots ; his enterprise was interrupted by the call of death, and September 12, 1866, he entered into the higher life. He was laid to rest beside his son, Charles Lincoln, who was born to Mr. and Mrs. Crafts and died in child- hood. Mr. Crafts was a man of more than or- dinary ability, more than ordinary Christian character and in the years of his pioneer resi- dence here he wielded an influence which will never fade away. He was the promoter of Pomona College and donated forty acres for a site at Crafton, and had he lived the college would have been located there. His wife, again widowed, is now a resident of the home of her daughter, Mrs. Canterbury, of Redlands, at No. 708 Palm avenue. Looking back with- out regret to the days gone by and forward without fear to that which lies beyond, pa- tient and cheerful, earnest and faithful, be- loved by all who have ever known her in the pioneer times and the present fulfillment of that far distant time, Mrs. Crafts, at eighty- one years of age, has completed a history of Pioneer Days of San Bernardino Valley, which she has put on the market to describe the early life of the pioneer.

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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 144

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