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 154
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Retaining his interest in the ranch and other properties, including charcoal kilns and iron inines in Utah, Mr. De Meulle, in 1903, came to Long Beach, purchased property on the cor- ner of Fifth and Pacific avenue and has since that time made this city his home. The Har- bor iron works, of which he was an incor- porator, is the leading manufacturing estab- lishment here and a new plant is to be built on the Riverside tract to keep pace with the rapidly increasing demands made upon the business.
The marriage of Mr. De Meulle occurred in Beaver county, Utah, uniting him with The- resa Squire, a native of Echo Canon, in that state. Fraternally he was made a Mason in Long Beach Lodge No. 327, F. & A. M., and also belongs to Long Beach Chapter No. 48, R. A. M. He is an advocate of the principles embraced in the platform of the Republican party and as a public-spirited citizen is ac- tively interested in every enterprise tending to upbuild and develop the community in which he resides.
HENRY JAY CAMP. A prominent resident of the vicinity of De Luz, and one of the best known men in this part of San Diego county, Henry J. Camp has here been profitably engaged in general agricultural for a full quarter of a century, owning and occupying one of the most attractive of the manv beautiful homesteads to be found in this vicinity. As one of the oldest settlers of this section of the state, he has con- tributed his full share towards its intellectual and moral progress, and as one of its early min- isters of the gospel has done much missionary work, laboring to incline the hearts and minds of the people to religious things. Coming from substantial New England stock, he was born, February 13, 1843, in Medina county, Ohio. His father, Israel Camp, a native of Connecticut,
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was fitted for the bar in his early manhood, and during his brief life was engaged in the practice of law in Ohio, being in partnership with Will- iam H. Canfield. He married Sarah Higby, who was born in New York, and she too, died when young, leaving two orphan children, namely : Charles I., who died at the age of nine- teen years; and Henry Jay, the special subject of this brief sketch.
His parents dying before he was five years of age, Henry J. Camp was brought up in Con- necticut, receiving his elementary education in the common schools. Subsequently going to Gambier, Ohio, he took a preparatory, academic and collegiate course at Kenyon College, and in 1872 was graduated from its theological depart- ment. Locating then in Circleville, Ohio, he there had charge of St. Philip's Episcopal Church for four years. Coming to California in 1876, he spent a brief time in San Francisco, and then came by steamer to San Diego, arriving in that city on the last day of October. Continuing his ministerial labors he became rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity. Retiring from the active work of the ministry in 1881 he turned his at- tention to agricultural pursuits, taking up a gov- ernment claim of two hundred acres near De Luz, and here, by dint of untiring labor and ex- cellent management, he has improved a valuable estate. He raises some grain, and in addition to general ranching does considerable fancy farming, keeping bees, cows and poultry, and having a good orchard of various kinds of fruit, and an olive grove containing sixty trees that are in a bearing condition.
In 1871 Mr. Camp married Mary Nash, a daughter of the late Asa Nash, and sister of George K. Nash, a former governor of Ohio, and they are the parents of two children, namely : Irvine Nash, a well-known dairyman of River- side; and Charles H., who is employed in the San Jose car shops. A Socialist in politics, Mr. Camp takes an intelligent interest in everything pertaining to local affairs, and as a loyal citizen never shirks his public duties, but has served as roadmaster, school trustee and as deputy county clerk of San Diego county. Regaining a fair degree of health from outdoor work, in 1890 Mr. Camp took up missionary work in the county, serving at Murrietta, Temecula, Fall- brook, Escondido and Bostonia.
WILLIAM REIMAN. Many of the most industrious and enterprising members of the farming population of Ventura county have come from the land beyond the seas, Germany furnishing some of our most prosperous agri- culturists. Noteworthy among these valued citizens is William Reiman, who is actively em-
ployed in his independent occupation of the Schiappa Pietra ranch, where he has met with unquestioned success in the cultivation of beans. A son of the late Joseph Reiman, he was born, November 4, 1861, in Hanover, Germany, and was there trained to habits of industry and thrift.
Joseph Reiman spent a large part of his life in the Fatherland, where he labored hard to give his wife and children the comforts of life. Determining if possible to better his financial condition, he immigrated with his family to America in 1881, coming directly to the Santa Clara valley, Cal., where he settled as a per- manent resident, living there until his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth (Schneider), still lives in that locality, being a bright and active woman of seventy-six years.
After completing his early education in the public schools of Germany, William Reiman worked in different hotels in his native city, be- ing employed in various capacities. In 1881 he came with the family to the United States, land- ing at San Francisco. Locating in the Santa Clara valley, he has since been profitably em- ployed in tilling the soil. Energetic and per- severing, he has met with genuine success in his labors, and is now carrying on one hundred and forty-five acres of land, twenty-five of which he owns. Seventy acres are devoted to the rais- ing of lima beans, the remainder being in bar- ley. For the past twelve years he has also en- gaged in raising fine black Minorca fowles.
May 21, 1896, Mr. Reiman married Bertha Adam, a native of St. Paul, Minn. Two chil- dren were born of their union, both of whom died in infancy. Politically Mr. Reiman is an independent Democrat, voting as his conscience dictates, regardless of party restrictions. Re- ligiously both Mr. and Mrs. Reiman are members of the Oxnard Catholic Church.
QUINCY C. WEBSTER. That portion of Los Angeles county embraced between the city of Los Angeles and the Pacific ocean was but sparsely settled at the time of Mr. Webster's arrival in the locality. The villages now rank- ing among the growing towns of the county had not been platted or, if already laid out in lots, were of very insignificant proportions. The county, however, was beginning to draw permanent settlers of fine character and the resources of the soil were becoming increasingly known as the result of study and experiment. On first coming to this county he assisted his father, James C., in the cultiva- tion of the ranch situated one mile from Ingle- wood, known then as the old ranch place of Dan Freeman, and later personally operated by Mr. Webster himself. After the death of his father
D Donovan
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he took charge of the tract of three hundred and fifty acres, under cultivation to grain, corn and alfalfa, and retained its management until No- vember 1, 1906, since which time he has been engaged in the hay and feed business in Los Angeles, at the corner of Vernon and Central avenues.
Hill county in the state of Texas is Mr. Web- ster's native place and May 23, 1871, the date of his birth. The family is of old southern line- age. His father was born and reared in Ala- bama, but at an early age accompanied other members of the family to Texas, at that time a new country with few American settlers. Se- curing a large tract of land, he took up stock- raising and general ranch pursuits, and for many years remained in that state extensively engaged in agricultural affairs. There he met and mar- ried Miss Melissa Taylor, who was born in Ala- bama, but removed to Texas in childhood, and died at the age of twenty-eight years. Four children were born of their union, namely : Quincy C., the subject of this sketch: Walter, who is engaged in the management of a stage line at Cass, Mexico; Emmett, a clerk in Los Angeles ; and Jessie, wife of Giles E. Stevens, who is emploved in the registry department of the Los Angeles postoffice.
Disposing of his interests in Texas in 1890, James C. Webster came to California and re- mained for one year on a ranch in Ventura coun- ty, after which he removed to Inglewood. Los Angeles county, and there died January 7. 1897, at fifty-three years of age. All through his ac- tive life he was a worker in the Democratic party and maintained a warm interest in local affairs. As previously stated, upon his death the man- agement of the ranch was assumed by his son Quincy C., who was united in marriage. April 25. 1904, with Miss Nita Carpenter, a native of Kansas, and has until recently made his home at the old ranchhouse. With his wife he holds membership in the Presbyterian Church and con- tributes to the maintenance of the same; for some years he officiated as an elder of the con- gregation. Like his father, he favors the Dem- ocratic party, but he is liberal in his views and in local affairs believes the character and intelligence of the candidate to be of greater im- portance than his views concerning national problems.
DANIEL DONOVAN. As the name indi- cates, the Donovan family comes of Irish line- age. Their establishment in the United States is an event of the present generation, but no native-born sons of our country have been more loyal than they. John and Kate (Swee- ny) Donovan, who were lifelong residents of the Emerald Isle, were the parents of seven
children, of whom one daughter and one son (Daniel) reside in California, and another son, Patrick, for years before his death held a prominent position among the ranchers of the valley near Arroyo' Grande. The member of the family whose name introduces this sketch was born in County Cork, Ireland, January 5, 1842, and remained at home until sixteen years of age, meanwhile availing himself of such ed- ucational advantages as the circumstances of the family rendered possible.
An uneventful voyage via the Isthmus of Panama brought Mr. Donovan to San Fran- cisco in 1866, and there he remained for two years working at the trade of a shoemaker. For a year he also worked in the mines. Next he removed to Watsonville and engaged in the retail shoe business for two years, but at the expiration of that time he disposed of the bus- iness and removed to Monterey county, where he took up land from the government. Six busy years were spent on the land, which he devoted principally to the raising of cattle. Selling out his interests in 1877, he brought forty-five head of milch cows to Guadaloupe, Santa Barbara county, and from there came to Nipomo, San Luis Obispo county, where for four years he engaged in the stock business in partnership with J. Sheehy. On the division of their interests Mr. Donovan came to Los Berros valley, San Luis Obispo county, and bought his present ranch of five hundred and four acres, of which one hundred and fifty acres are in pasture and the balance under cul- tivation to grain and beans.
The marriage of Mr. Donovan was solemn- ized in Watsonville in 1869 and united him with Miss Mary McSweeney, who was born in Cork, Ireland, and came to the United States with her mother, settling in San Fran- cisco. Her education was received in the schools of that city. Possessing a kind dis- position and pleasant manner, she won many friends and her death in 1904 was mourned by all of her acquaintances. One of her daugh- ters, Maggie Frances, had died at the age of fourteen years. The other, Mary C .. is mar- ried to M. W. Phelan, by whom she has one child. In religious connections Mr. Donovan was reared in the Catholic faith and now holds membership with the church of that denomi- nation in Arroyo Grande. Ever since becom- ing familiar with the platforms of the different political parties he has given his support to the Democratic party and votes the regular ticket in national elections. For a number of years he held the position of deputy assessor, but with that exception he has held no offices and has not been a candidate for such positions, preferring to devote himself to the duties con-
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nected with his ranch. Genial and companion- able, he is a man whom it is a pleasure to meet socially, and whose long identification with the locality entitles him to the honored position accorded all pioneers.
FRANK M. NEWSOM. Among the en- terprising and successful agriculturists of Los Angeles county are many men who bring to their calling great skill, much ability and ex- cellent judgment. Ranking among these is Frank M. Newsom, who is busily employed in his chosen occupation on his well cultivated ranch near Inglewood. He was born, August 18, 1860, in North Carolina, which was like- wise the birthplace of his father, Jerry V. Newsom. Born in North Carolina Jerry V. Newsom was reared to agricultural pursuits, and during his entire life has been engaged in farming. In his early days he owned a large plantation and had many slaves to do the work. During the Civil war he enlisted in a North Carolina regiment and served in the Confed- erate army during the entire conflict. But few of his slaves left him when freed, the ma- jority of them remaining on the plantation and subsequently working for wages. He still owns and occupies the old home place. He married Anna Nickleson, and of the seven children born of their union six are living, namely: Frank M., Matthew, Alex, Lena, Lucie and Lizzie. The mother, who was a faithful Christian woman and a member of the Presbyterian Church, died on the home farm.
The oldest child of the parental household, Frank M. Newsom was educated in the district schools, and while assisting his father on the old plantation acquired a good knowledge of agriculture. Leaving home at the age of twenty-one years, he migrated to Texas, where he followed farming for four years. Coming from there to California in 1885, he spent a few months in Pasadena, later in the year com- ing to Inglewood, where he has improved a good ranch. This he is operating successful- ly, carrying on general farming after the most approved modern methods.
In 1901 Mr. Newsom married Anna Young, who was born in Austria. Politically he is an earnest supporter of the principles of the Dem- ocratic party.
JOHN L. WEAVER. Among the energetic and enterprising men who have assisted in de- veloping the rich agricultural resources of South- ern California, the name of John L. Weaver should receive special mention. In the pursuit of his chosen vocation lie is directing his ener-
gies wisely and well, and is meeting with note- worthy success, his ranch, located in Wiseburn, comparing favorably as regards its improve- ments with any in this section of the county. He was born, in 1865, at Mount Vernon, Ohio, which was also the birthplace of his father, Phil- ip M. Weaver.
A farmer by occupation, Philip M. Weaver began his agricultural labors in his native state, but after a few years went to Minnesota to look about. Not liking that country, he came to Cali- fornia with his family in 1869, locating in the Sacramento valley, where he bought land, and carried on farming and stock-raising for seven years. Going thence to Kern county, he re- mained there five years. Removing to Los An- geles in 1885, he resided there until his death, October 4, 1904. Of the five children born of their union four are living, namely: John L., of this review; Mrs. Mary Damon, of Shasta county, Cal .; Mrs. Hattie Miller, of Joplin, Mo .; and Nelson, of San Francisco. John L., is the youngest son of the family.
Coming with his parents to California when but four years of age, John L. Weaver received a practical education in the public schools, and while young became familiar with the various branches of agriculture. At the age of twenty- five years he began farming on his own account in Los Angeles county. Subsequently locating in the Wiseburn district, he bought a ranch, and has since carried on general farming on a large scale. By the exercise of his native in- dustry and his able business capacity he has met with success. Though not an aspirant for office, he takes a genuine interest in local and national affairs, and is a stanch adherent of the Republican party.
In 1879 Mr. Weaver married Magneta White, a native of Kansas, and they are the parents of four children, namely : Wallace H., Bessie, Hat- tie and Charles B. Fraternally Mr. Weaver be- longs to Redondo Lodge No. 328, F. & A. M., and with his wife is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, of which his daughter Bessie is (1906) Worthy Matron.
LOUIS B. HARDIN. Closely identified with the agricultural interests of Los Angeles county is Louis B. Hardin, who is pleasantly located four and one-half miles southwest of Ingle- wood, not far from Wiseburn. Industrious and progressive, possessing excellent judgment and good business ability, he is carrying on general farming with satisfactory pecuniary results, in his chosen occupation having amassed a comfort- able competence. A son of the late Nathan C. Hardin, he was born, September 28, 1862, in Delaware, Ohio.
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
A native of Ohio, Nathan C. Hardin was born in Delaware in June, 1821. Succeeding to the occupation to which he was reared, he carried on general farming for many years in his native place, being especially interested in raising cat- tle and sheep. During the Civil war he served as a soldier, belonging to an Ohio regiment, and participated in many engagements, including among others both of the battles at Bull Run. Being mustered out of service at the close of the war, he returned to his farm, resuming his former employment. In 1866 he moved with his family to Missouri, where he bought land, improved a farm, and was there successfully en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, in May, 1893. He married Julia Sellers, who was born in Delaware county, Ohio, and died, in 1899, in Missouri, aged sixty-nine years. Six children were born of their union, and all grew to years of maturity, namely: Laura, Henry, Louis B., Sarah, Joseph and Mary
Receiving a practical education in the common schools of Ohio, Louis B. Hardin began life for himself when a boy of fourteen years, work- ing as a farm hand, first in Missouri, and after- wards in Kansas, remaining thus employed un- til taking upon himself the responsibilities of a married man. In 1893, disposing of his in- terests in the middle west he came to California, purchased the land on which he is now living, and has since improved a valuable ranch, his estate in its appointments being one of the best in the community.
In 1886, in Missouri, Mr. Hardin married Violet Tharp, and into their pleasant household four children have been born, namely : Charles C., Retta, Ray H. and Louis B., Jr. Fraternal- ly Mr. Hardin belongs to the Royal Arcanum, and politically he is a strong Republican, but has had neither time nor inclination to take an ac- tive part in public affairs.
JOHN DAWSON ARDIS. The Ardis fam- ily has been represented in the vicinity of Dow- ney, Los Angeles county, since 1868, when John C. Ardis sought a home in California because of its unsurpassed climatic conditions. He was a native of Georgia and the descendant of an honored ancestry. Receiving his education in Emory College, at Oxford, Ga., he subsequent- ly engaged in the practice of law, but afterward entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. After his removal to Arkansas, which took place in 1857, he engaged in teach- ing and continued so occupied for a number of years. The close confinement gradually told upon his health, until he found it expedient to seek both a change of climate and occupation, and in July, 1868, he came to California with
the intention of making this state his home. In the vicinity of Downey he purchased a twenty- five acre ranch, barren of all improvement or' cultivation, and with no promise of the great productiveness which the future was destined to yield in return for unremitting effort. The death of Mr. Ardis occurred nine years later, on the 24th of December, 1877, and though the time was short, yet he improved well his opportunity and laid the foundation for the competence which his property should yield. With his re- moval from the active affairs of the community there passed away a man of exceptional ability and worth, one strong in the inherited qualities of manhood, generous in his citizenship, unsel- fish and devoted in his home, and always a power for the moral uplifting of those about him. Al- ways stanch in his support of right and justice, he was chosen at various times to positions of public honor and trust, as a member of the Ar- kansas state legislature for two years endeavor- ing to advance the best interests of the citizen- ship of the state, the influence won by a splendid personality being held by the display of honest, earnest manhood and worthy purpose.
The marriage of Mr. Ardis united him with a member of an old and honored southern family, whose first ancestor settled in Virginia in the early colonial days, when the name of Harris was prominent in public affairs. Frances Aman- da Harris was a daughter of the far southern branch, an ancestor having located in Alabama, where her birth occurred. As befitted the daugh- ters of the southern aristocracy she received an excellent education in the Female College at La- Grange, Ga., after which, in young womanhood, she met and married Mr. Ardis. She survived her husband many years, passing away Decem- ber I, 1902, after many years of useful and ear- nest life. Eleven children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ardis, of whom John D. is a rancher at Downey; Isaac L., deceased, was for- merly a resident of Downey, and for over twenty years was an engineer with the Southern Pacific Railroad; Sallie A. is the wife of A. S. Gray, a rancher of Downey; Lida T., the wife of Dr. Q. J. Rowley, of Los Angeles, was a teacher in the schools of Downey for about fourteen years; Julius H. is a successful attorney of Downey ; William M. is associated with a wholesale leather house in Los Angeles, and Julia is the wife of J. H. Mccullough, a dealer in imple- ments in Downey. By the upright lives of the men and women who bear the name of Ardis they have gained a wide influence throughout the community, and are justly named among the citizens who have given most for the upbuilding and development of this section.
John Dawson Ardis is the oldest surviving child of the Ardis family, his birth having oc-
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curred in Russell county, Ala., January 14, 1849, his early life being passed in his native state, where he received a preliminary education through the medium of the subscription schools. Accompanying his parents to Arkansas in 1857, he completed his studies under the instruction of his father and in Arkansas College. In De- cember, 1867, he came to California with his parents, who made the trip in their own con- veyances, and on the 28th of July, 1868, ar- rived in the vicinity of Downey, where he has ever since resided. Here his father purchased a ranch of twenty-five acres, devoid of all culti- vation or improvement. Nothing daunted by the prospect Mr. Ardis gave himself heartily to the work of cultivation, and passing years have ably demonstrated his ability, for he is now the owner of a well-paying ranch of walnut, orange and apple orchards, to whose cultivation he gives his entire time and attention. Thirty- eight years have passed away since he came to this location and on the same ranch he has made his home ever since, and in the same commun- ity has won a place among the substantial and upright men, who can always be counted upon to further any plan for the advancement of the country's welfare. He established home ties De- cember 2, 1899, when he married Ada V. (Rudd) Anderson, a native of Iowa, in which state her father, James Rudd, was also born, and thence removed to California and located in the vicinity of Downey. Mr. Ardis has two chil- dren, John Rudd and Glenn Dawson. Both him- self and wife are devoted members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church South, and are liberal in their support of its charities, Mr. Ardis having been associated with this religious denomination since the age of eight years. He has held every office in the church and is at present officiating as trustee and steward. In his political convic- tions he is a stanch adherent of the principles advocated in the platform of the Democratic party, and fraternallv is identified with the Ma- sonic organization, being past master of Dow- ney Lodge No. 220, F. A. M. Like his father Mr. Ardis has always stood for good govern- ment, the improvement and upbuilding of pub- lic utilities and private interests, and no man has been more active than he in the promotion of all enterprises tending toward this end. Personally he combines many traits which have won him a wide circle of friends and makes his influence far-reaching.
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