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 II, Part 103

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company
Number of Pages: 1234

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After having worked for years without a vaca- tion, in 1890 Mr. Newport laid aside agricultural cares for a time and returned to visit Chester and his relatives in old England. There he mar- ried Miss Kathryn Lloyd, who, like himself, was born and educated in Chester. They are the parents of five children, namely : William Lloyd. George Denson, Frederick William, Samuel Newns, and Mary Kathryn. The importance of educational work appeals to Mr. Newport, who since 1902 has officiated as school trustee and meanwhile has done much to promote the wel- fare of the schools of the district.

HENRY BALY. The Bank of San Pedro, a financial institution organized and established in 1888, has for its cashier one of the most promi- nent and influential citizens of San Pedro, in which city and vicinity he has been a resident for the greater part of twenty-five years. Mr. Baly is a native of London, England, born August 4, 1853, the third of a family of eleven children, of whom six attained maturity and five are now living. His father, William Baly, was a

man of ability and education, having graduated from the Royal Academy of Music, in London, where he became a professor of the science of composition. He finally retired from active cares and spent the remainder of his life at his country home at Exeter. He is survived by his wife, formerly Adelaide C. Byrn, a native of London, whose home is still in Exeter.

Henry Baly was reared in Exeter and edu- cated in Mt. Radford Coilege, which he attended until he was fourteen years old, when he went to sea as midshipman. During the three or four years ensuing he rounded the Cape of Good Hope three times and Cape Horn twice during his first trip to Melbourne on the Champion of the Sea (of the Black Ball Line), the vessel be- ing dismasted. When eighteen years of age he quit the sea, and in the fall of 1872 came to America. He spent three years in Illinois and Indiana, farming for a part of the time in Du Page county, Illinois, and in the vicinity of Good- land, Newton county, Indiana. In the spring of 1876 he came to California, from Los Angeles going north to Colusa county, where he spent his first summer in Bear valley in farming and stock-raising. Early in the fall he returned to Los Angeles county and located in Wilmington, where he entered the employ of Jacoby Brothers, merchants of that place. He remained in this occupation for three years, engaged as a book- keeper, when he located in the vicinity of Eldo- rado, Butler county, Kans., where he followed farming. Disposing of the two farms which he owned, in 1885, he once more located in Wil- mington and engaged in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company and also as United States custom house inspector. He be- came prominent in public affairs in the city and for two terms served as city clerk, and in the meantime, in 1893, had entered the Bank of San Pedro as bookkeeper. In 1897 he became assis- tant cashier, which position he held until 1902, when he was elected cashier. He is also a mem- ber of the board of directors and is an important factor in the upbuilding of the institution. This bank was established as a state institution in 1888 and from its organization has made rapid progress toward an important place among the financial institutions of this section, in the last three years having trebled its deposits. In addi- tion to his position with this bank Mr. Baly is also interested as vice-president and director of the Citizens' Savings Bank of San Pedro, which he helped to organize. He owns his residence in San Pedro and also other valuable real estate and takes an active interest in the development and progress of the place.

In Wilmington Mr. Baly was united in mar- riage with Anna Louise Parsons, a native of Iowa, and the daughter of William Parsons, who

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came to California with the Iowa colony that set- tled in Riverside. His death occurred in Ven- tura county, California. Mr. and Mrs. Baly be- came the parents of the following children : John, in business in San Pedro; Henry, bookkeeper for the E. K. Wood Lumber Company, of San Pedro; Adelaide and Robert. Fraternally Mr. Baly was made a Mason in San Pedro and has been raised to the Royal Arch degree in this lodge. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is past noble grand. Polit- ically he is an adherent of the principles advo- cated in the platform of the Republican party, and in his religious views is a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr Baly occupies a place of importance among the citizens of San Pedro, all who know liim recognizing the ability and integ- rity which have marked his residence in this section.

FRED SCHOLDER. Since 1858 Mr. Schol- der has been closely identified with all plans and projects inaugurated for the advancement and well-being of San Diego county, his interest cen- tering more particularly perhaps around Mesa Grande, where he has resided continuously for nearly half a century. In recalling incidents connected with the early days in the vicinity Mr. Scholder would no doubt give first place to the disturbance experienced at the hands of the Mexicans, who resented the invasion of the white man and manifested their dislike in no unmistak- able manner. Some idea of the remoteness of neighbors may be gathered when it is known that in order to form a jury it required all of the men in the county. The same year in which Mr. Scholder came to the state he purchased the ranch upon which he now resides. It bore little resemblance to the fine ranch which is to be seen today, for it was almost entirely covered witlı timber and brush, and much labor was neces- sary before crops could be planted. In addi- tion to the original purchase of one hundred and sixty acres he has added adjoining land to the amount of nine hundred acres, devoted almost entirely to the raising of stock, although some of the land is in grain.

Mr. Scholder is of German birth and. parent- age, and is a son of John and Victoria (Hier) Scholder, both of whom spent their entire lives in Germany, the former passing away at the age of seventy-six and the latter when sixty years of age. Four of their eight children, how- ever, became residents of the United States, all settling in Ohio with the exception of Fred. The latter was born in Wurtemberg May 6, 1832, and until he attained his eighteenth year remained in his native land. Equipped with a good common- school education he came to the United States in

1850, going direct to Philadelphia from New York City. After working on a farm in New Jersey tor about three years he joined the reg- ular army and was detailed for duty in the Apache Indian war in Arizona. His service ex- tended over five years, during which time he was wounded in the leg, and he received his discharge at Tucson. It was at this point in his career that he decided to come to San Diego county, demonstrating his approval and satıs- faction upon coming here by taking up land from the government and becoming a permanent set- tler.

In 1864 Mr. Scholder was married and of the thirteen children born to himself and his wife, two died in infancy and Lulu, when about four years old. Named in order of birth the others are as follows: Fritz, who married Isabelle Martinas; Adolph; Pauline; Joseph; Margaret, who died at the age of twenty-six; Samuel, who died when in his seventeenth year; William; Ora; John and Louisa. In his political belief Mr. Scholder is independent, casting his vote, as every good citizen should do, with a view to the candidate's fitness for office, irrespective of party name or creed. At one time Mr. Schol- der was considerably interested in mining, lo- cating several tourmaline claims which later proved very productive, and several gold claims ; and from one ton of rock he secured $500 worth of gold. He still has a fine claim on his ranch, but of late years he has relinquished mining to a great extent and given his attention more ex- clusively to the management of his ranch.

JAMES C. WATKINS. A man of unlim- ited energy, enthusiasm and enterprise, J. C. Watkins is successfully engaged in the livery business in Fallbrook, and is here prominently identified with many of its leading interests, being proprietor of the local transfer line, a mail carrier, and a stockholder in both the Fallbrook Hardware Company and the Fall- brook Mercantile Company. A man of strong mental vigor and great business aptitude, he holds a good position among the leading citi- zens of the place, and is ever among the fore- most to forward all enterprises calculated to develop and promote the general welfare of the people and the community. A son of the late W. K. Watkins, he was born, April 18, 1866, in Sonoma county, Cal., where he lived until three years old.

Born in Arkansas, W. K. Watkins came to California when a young man, crossing the plains with ox-teams in 1853. Traveling in the same train as far as Salt Lake was a little girl nine years old, named Pathenia Catherine Miller, whom he subsequently wooed and won,

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

marrying her in 1858. She remained with her parents in Utah for a year, and then came with them to California, and her mother, now an aged woman of ninety-one years, resides with her in Fallbrook. W. K. Watkins was a farmer throughout his life, beginning his operations in that direction in Arkansas, and closing his career in San Diego county, where his death occurred in 1896, at the age of six- ty-six years. His father, Ewell Watkins, was a pioneer preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, first in Arkansas, and later as a cir- cuit rider throughout Southern California.

But three years of age when he was brought by his parents to Los Angeles county, J. C. Watkins lived there until 1880, when he came with them to San Diego county. Here he completed his early education, walking three miles each morning to the district school. Se- lecting the independent occupation with which he became familiar in his boyhood, he pur- chased land in Valley Center, and was there engaged in tilling the soil for a number of years. Desirous then of making a change, he traded his ranch for his present livery busi- ness in Fallbrook, and in its management has been exceedingly successful. Taking posses- sion in 1893, he has built up a lucrative pat- ronage, in addition to running a livery and feed stable carrying the mail and operating a transfer line. Kind, obliging and accommo- dating, he is very popular with his many patrons, and as a man and a citizen is held in high esteem.

On Thanksgiving day, November 30, 1904, Mr. Watkins married Ella Bunkerman, a daughter of Fred and Rebecca Bunkerman, formerly residents of Kansas, but since 1902 residents of Southern California. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins have one daughter, Anna Izetta. Politically Mr. Watkins is a steadfast Demo- crat : fraternally he is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows ; and religiously both Mr. and Mrs. Watkins are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

CAPT. JAMES A. McVICAR. During the early portion of the nineteenth century Alex- ander McVicar, a native of the shire of Argyle on the rock-bound shores of western Scotland, came to the new world and settled in New Brunswick, where, as in his earlier home, he followed a seafaring life. For a time he was employed as a stevedore in St. George. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth McDermid, was of Scotch birth and came from the vicinity of Edinburgh. Among their chil- dren was a son. Archibald, who was born at St. George and followed the occupation of a steve-

dore at the docks of St. Johns, dying in the former town in 1865. In early life he had mar- ried Eliza Tracy, who was born in New Bruns- wick of English parentage. Seven children were born of their union, one of whom, William, died at San Pedro, Cal. Only three of the fam- ily are now living, and of these James A. is the only one living on the Pacific coast. The third among the children, he was born at St. John, New Brunswick, August 14. 1851, and at five years of age removed to St. George with the other members of the family.

The circumstance of environment determined Captain McVicar's occupation in life. As he lived in a seaport town and belonged to a sea- faring family, it was natural that he should drift into a sailor's life. June 8, 1865, he entered the coasting trade on the American ship Leb- anon, and later went on the deep water in the trans-Atlantic trade and to the West Indies. In 1874 he was mate and the following year became master of his vessel. In 1876 he sailed around the Horn and north to Central America, and later made a second trip to the same point, thence north to San Francisco, where his ship cast an- chor in August of 1878. Following his arrival on the Pacific coast he acted as second mate on the Rival; mate on the Serena Thayer out from San Pedro; mate on the Jessie Nickerson and then on the H. L. Tiernan : second mate on the brig Hazard, to Honolulu (where he was ill in a hospital for three months) ; and back to San Francisco, where he secured a position as mate on the coaster Hayes.

While acting as mate on the schooner Edward Parks, in 1880 Captain McVicar was wrecked on Humboldt Bar. Several of those on board were lost. By jumping overboard and swim- ming to a larger boat near by, his life was saved, hut he lost all of his possessions. The next position which he held was that of mate on the Serena Thayer, after which he made two voyages on the Anna Larson, and then served as foreman of the San Pedro dock for one year. Subsequent positions were with the Halcyon and the Uncle John as mate, during which time he made a voyage to Australia. In October of 1885 he became master of the Serena Thayer, which position he continued to fill until January of 1901, and then was master of the Reporter for six months and of the brig Geneva for two and one-half years, meanwhile making two trips to Australia. one voyage to Peru and several on the coast. After a long and eventful life as a mariner he quit the sea April 29, 1904. and took up the quiet life of a landsman.

Buying an interest with R. L. Brand in the meat business, in February. 1905, Captain Mc- Vicar established the firm of McVicar & Brand, who had a large local trade and also made a

1831

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

specialty of furnishing meats to vessels and ships that anchor at the port of San Pedro. The residence of Captain McVicar stands on Four- teenth street near Mesa and was erected under his supervision in 1889. His marriage was sol- emnized in Los Angeles November 13, 1887, and united him with Annie Edwards, who was born at Hastings, England, being a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Hines) Edwards, also na- tives of England. During early years Mr. Ed- wards learned the plasterer's trade and this he followed for many years after bringing his fam- ily to Los Angeles. At this writing he and his wife make their home with their daughter, Mrs. McVicar. The latter was educated in Los An- geles and for about four years held a position as a bookkeeper in the office of the Western Union Telegraph Company, resigning at the time of her marriage. Four children were born of her union, but one, Annie Leona, died at six years of age. Those now living are James Will- iam, Allen Archibald and Edward Randolph. In religion Mrs. McVicar is identified with the Episcopal Church and the captain is of the Presbyterian faith. In 1884 he was made a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Humboldt and now belongs at San Pedro, while his wife is past-grand of the kin- dred order of Rebekahs. At one time he was active in the Ancient Order of United Work- men, for many years was a member of St. Andrew's Society of San Francisco, and since 1886 has affiliated with the Knights of Pythias at San Pedro. Before leaving New Brunswick he was made a Mason at St. George in 1872 and in 1886 transferred his membership to the lodge at Humboldt, Cal., where he still has his name enrolled. Since becoming a citizen of the United States he has kept posted concerning political questions and has given his support to the Re- publican party.

RAVAUD HOVEY CHITTENDEN, M. D., is descended from a hardy race of pioneers. His ancestors were among those sturdy men and women of the early day in the history of our country, whose indomitable courage led them to face hardship and privations in order to found for themselves homes in a new land, and in doing so became the founders of a great nation. Their descendants are a long-lived race. On the for- ward march of civilization the graves of the weaker ones border the trail, and only the stronger ones survive to the end of the journey. These leave to their children, and their children's children, an inheritance of strength and endur- ance that serves them well in the battle of life. The first Chittenden, founder of the family in America, landed on our shores in 1639, and

numerous descedants are scattered throughout the country. Dr. Chittenden's father was Linus Chittenden ; his mother, Julia Ann Hovey, was of Revolutionary stock, and the fourth white child born in the Genesee Valley, New York.

Dr. Chittenden was born near Pittsford, a small town near Rochester, N. Y., in 1835. He received his early education in the public schools of Buffalo, and for a time after leaving school was a teacher in Erie county, New York. In 1855, at the age of twenty years, he removed to McHenry county, Illinois, and in the fall of 1856 married Miss Maggie F. Mitchell, a native of Newburg, N. Y. For a number of years follow- ing he was engaged as a bricklayer and mason, but with an ambition to prepare himself for a profession, at the same time he took up the study of medicine. In August, 1861, soon after the breaking out of the Civil war, he enlisted as a private in Company H, Thirty-sixth Illinois Vol-

unteer Infantry, and with his regiment was en- gaged in the battle of Pea Ridge. When later he received his discharge from the volunteer service it was to enter the hospital service as hospital steward, his knowledge of medicine proving of advantage to him in obtaining this position, as well as making of him a valuable assistant. After one year as hospital steward he was discharged for disability, at Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. He subsequently re-enlisted in the Seventh Regi- ment United States Veteran Volunteers, and was steward of that regiment until receiving his final discharge from service in 1866. During his vari- ous periods of enlistment he saw much active service. He was stationed at Washington, D. C., at the time of the assassination of Presdent Lin- coln and was in the midst of the excitement of those thrilling days that followed. He was at the final grand review of the troops in Washington, the closing year of the war.

While in Philadelphia, in 1866, Dr. Chittenden attended his first course of lectures at the old Jefferson Medical College, from there going to Long Island, where he graduated in the fall of 1866. Immediately thereafter he removed to Iowa and located in Jones county, where he suc- ceeded in building up for himself a large prac- tice, covering not only his home county, but also Cedar county adjoining. He remained in Jones county five years, and then removed to Stan- wood, where he practiced two years, and from there went to Kansas and settled in Emporia. Becoming weary of city life he traded his prop- érty in the city for a farm and for a time lived in the country, hut did not in the meantime aban- don the practice of his profession. Later he re- moved to Mound City, Holt county, and in the following seven years built up a fine practice, treating over four thousand cases during that time. He next removed to Kansas City, and

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

opened an office, where he practiced for three years.

Dr. Chittenden has been a resident of Cali- fornia since 1900. He first located in Santa Cruz and followed the practice of his profession three years, then removing to Long Beach, where he continues his practice. The doctor has a long rec- ord as general medical practitioner, and several degrees attest his knowledge of his profession. He took the regular course in medicine and grad- uated from the College of Physicians and Sur- geons, Chicago, in 1883.

After completing the study of osteopathy he occupied a chair in the National School of Oste- opathy one year. He is well known in medical circles, having been a member of the State Med- ical Societies of Kansas and Iowa, and is a con -. stant contributor to various well-known medical journals. He was a member of the board of United States Pension Medical Examiners in both Missouri and Kansas.

Mrs. Chittenden has been a valuable assistant to her husband in his profession and has worked side by side with him during his long years of practice. In order to be with him she volunteered as a nurse during the Civil war, and in minister- ing to sick and suffering soldiers endured trials that few women of the time had courage to face. Since then she has secured a certificate as reg- istered pharmacist in Kansas. Both Dr. and Mrs. Chittenden are interested in Grand Army affairs, Mrs. Chittenden being a member of the Wom- an's Relief Corps, and the Doctor a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, serving as com- mander of the post at Mound City. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the An- cient Order of United Workmen in Kansas. Dr. and Mrs. Chittenden are members of the Con- gregational Church in Long Beach. The family consists of five children, three daughters and two sons: Mrs. Essie Morrin lives at Rumsey, Yolo county, Cal., and Mrs. Alida Humphrey at Berkeley; another daughter, Maggie Monahan, is deceased, and her two daughters, Dessie and Merl. have since made their home with their grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. Chittenden ; Homer T. is a printer of Kansas City, Mo .; Horace Walter. M. D., is a practitioner at Melvern, Kas.

Since coming to Long Beach Dr. Chittenden has interested himself in real estate and has met with success in that line of business. The family residence is at No. 626 West Third street.

HENRY SEYMOUR CALLAHAN. Ac- tive, enterprising, and of great business aptitude and talent, H. S. Callahan holds high rank among the prominent citizens of Long Beach, and is ever among the foremost to forward all projects conducive to the public welfare. He

is counted one of the most conservative busi- ness men in Long Beach, where in 1901 he start- ed with a stock of household furnishings and furniture valued at $2,000, and at this writing ( 1905) his stock is valued at $20,000.

Born in Houston, Jackson county, Ind., Au- gust 19, 1868, H. S. Callahan is a son of Dent and Edith (Matlock) Callahan, the former of whom was born in 1818 and settled in Indiana during a very early period in the history of that state. Throughout his entire active life he was a tiller of the soil, and is now living retired in Kurtz, Jackson county, Ind., his wife having died in that state in 1900. Although his parents were people of some means, H. S. Callahan was early in life initiated into the world of work, and after attending the public school at Hous- ton and graduating from the county school he accepted a position in a furniture store in Sey- mour, Ind. He continued in the employ of oth- ers until 1892, when he came to California mere- ly to see the country, and with little thought of settling here permanently. With the keenness of perception which is one of his notable char- acteristics he foresaw possibilities here in the west which did not exist in the Hoosier state and he wisely determined to remain and estab- lish himself in the newer country. For a short time he clerked in a store in Santa Ana, but be- fore long he was enabled to purchase a half in- terest in the firm of F. S. Northrup & Co., a business arrangement which existed for two years and a half, when he sold out his share in the business. Again entering the employ of others he worked for Ira Chandler for about six years, and later was collector for E. J. Brent, of Los Angeles, for nine months. Still later he had charge of the store of J. D. Beach & Sons on Broadway, a position which he held until re- signing in 1901 to engage in business on his own account in Long Beach. In order to get a start he purchased a half interest in the E. V. Hill Furniture Company, but one year later he pur- chased the entire business and removed to his present quarters in the Masonic Temple. The fact that he was enabled to increase the value of his stock in four years to ten times its origi- nal value tells more plainly than can words of his tenacity of purpose and business understand- ing.

In Santa Ana Mr. Callahan was united in marriage with Augusta Young, a native of Kan- sas. and one child has been born to them, to whom they have given the name of Thelma. The family home is on Pine street, above the store. From the fact that Mr. Callahan has made such rapid strides in the development of his business, it being conceded that he has the largest stock in Long Beach, it goes without saying that his time for outside affairs is rather limited. Not-

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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 II, Part 103

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918 Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company Number of Pages: 1234

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company
Number of Pages: 1234