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 114

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 completed such advantages as the public schools offered, George P. Shanks started out for himself at nineteen years of age and for three years rented land in Plymouth county, Iowa. Later he went west to Oregon and experimented with farming as conducted in that state, carrying on a farm near Lebanon, Linn county. However, prospects and condi- tions were not satisfactory and he soon returned to Iowa, thence went to South Dakota and bought a tree claim relinquishiment near Cham- berlain, Brule county. Three years were suffi- cient to convince him that success could not be gained in that region. During the last two years a drought set in, attended by frequent high and hot winds, and as a result he lost his crops and was forced to start anew. In November of 1891 he came to California, a decision which he has had no reason to regret, for he has enjoyed a delightful climate, has earned a livelihood for his large family and in addition has reaped the benefits accruing from the increase in land val- ties. Through all of his active life he has stanchly supported Republican principles, but at no time has he solicited office. During the strife in the location of the state capital in South Da- kota he took an active part in advocating Pierre as the desirable location. The only position

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which he has filled, that of school trustee, he held for several years in the interests of the educa- tional advancement of his district. Fraternally he affiliates with Palms Camp No. 567, W. O. W., and in religion favors the doctrines of the United Brethren Church, in whose faith he was reared.

The marriage of Mr. Shanks in 1883 united him with Ida Le Forge, who was born in New York, a descendant of French ancestry. They are the parents of eight children, namely : . Ray- mond, who is employed as a clerk in Los Ange- les; Ethel May, who is a graduate of the Palms grammar school and the Santa Monica high school; Mabel, George P., Jr., Edna, Pearl, Lu- cile and Wesley James, all of whom are receiv- ing excellent educational advantages in the schools of the county.

GEORGE E. MOE. Among the prominent and progressive agriculturists of Ventura county who are turning their attention to the culture of lima beans, and in this comparatively new line of industry are meeting with noteworthy suc- cess, is George E. Moe, living near Oxnard, on the Schiappa Pietra ranch. Believing that from health and labor, wealth and contentment spring, he had bent every energy toward the perfect- ing of his agricultural projects, and now occupies a foremost position, not only among the pros- perous farmers of the community in which he resides, but among its most valued and highly esteemed citizens.

A son of Elmore Moe, he was born, May 3, 1856, in Sherbrooke, Quebec. His father was born in England, immigrated to Canada when young, and was there a resident until his death, May 24, 1895, at the age of seventy-seven years. He married Mary Robert, who was born in Germany, and died in Quebec, in 1899, in the seventy-third year of her age.

At the age of seventeen years, having acquired a practical education in the public schools, George E. Moe began work for himself as fireman on the Passumpsic and International Railroad, sub- sequently obtaining a similar position on the St. Francis Railroad. Coming to the Pacific coast in February, 1877, he located in Marin county, and for awhile worked on the North Pacific Coast and Narrow Gauge Railway. From there he went to Occidental, Sonoma county, where he was engaged in the livery business until 1881. when he removed to Seattle, Wash., obtaining a position on the Lake Shore and Eastern Rail- road, for twelve years thereafter being either conductor or engineer. In 1893 he came to Ventura county, and for a year was employed in ranching on the old Gilger place, near Oxnard. The following eight years he carried on general

farming on the McCoy ranch, on the old Huen- eme road. In the meantime, in February, 1898, he made a trip to Alaska, taking passage on the ship Corona, which was rock bound for four days. In October of that year he came back to his farm, and the following spring returned to the Alaska mines for another season's work. Locating then on his present ranch, he rents four hundred and fifty. acres of land, the larger part of which he devotes to the raising of lima beans. Although renting the land, he bought all of the improvements that had been previously made, and to these has made valuable additions, having a substantial set of farm buildings. In carrying on his work he makes use of the most modern machinery and appliances, this year, 1906, intro- ducing a bean thrasher.

July 4, 1876, in Canada, Mr. Moe married Delia Annable, who was born in Canada, a daugh- ter of J. M. Annable. Mr. Annable was a native of New England, Vermont being the state of his birth. He subsequently removed to Canada, and there spent his remaining years. In Vermont, he married Eunice Dean, who was born in New Hampshire, came to California with her daughter, Mrs. Moe, and died here, September 25, 1899, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Moe five children have been born, namely : Harry Elmore, of Kelso, San Bernardino county, who married Bertha Pasold, of Oxnard; Daisy, wife of Gale Dixon, of Los Angeles; Lawrence, of Los Angeles; Lotta, of Los Angeles ; and Ernest, at home. Fra- ternally Mr. Moe is a member of the Ventura Court, Palm City No. 1800, I. O. F.

JAMES SHEDDEN. As general superin- tendent of the Gage Canal System, Mr. Shedden has charge of eight miles of irrigating canal which carries water for irrigation purposes into Riverside and San Bernardino counties. He has charge of from twenty to one hundred and forty men at different seasons of the year, the latter force being necessary at times when there may be a threatened break in the levees after heavy rains. Mr. Shedden is a native of Scotland, born in Glasgow, March 21, 1864. His parents, Rob- ert and Mary (Shearer) Shedden, were both natives of Scotland and lived in that country throughout their lives. The father was a tanner by trade and was for a number of years superin- tendent of a large tanning establishment. James Shedden spent the first nineteen years of his life in his native country, where he received a good common school education, and, following in the footsteps of his father, learned the trade of tan- ner. On the completion of his apprenticeship, which was spent under his father, he immigrated

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to Canada in 1882 and located at Gananoque, where he worked at his trade for a time and later for five and a half years was in the employ of Carranton & Son, who carried on an extensive leather business. When he came to California in 1887 he first stopped at Riverside and found employment on the Gage Canal. In 1889 he assumed his present duties as general manager of the Gage Canal System and has since filled the position with entire satisfaction to all con- cerned.

The marriage of Mr. Shedden occurred June 19, 1888. Miss Elizabeth Hewton, a native of Canada, becoming his wife. The union has been blessed by the birth of the following children : Winnifred (a high school student), Howard B., Allen J., Robert H. and Archie G. Both parents are active members of the First Presby- terian Church of San Bernardino and contribute liberally to the support of the various charities and benevolences connected therewith. Fra- ternally Mr. Shedden is a member of San Ber- nardino Lodge No: 348, F. and A. M .; Wood- men of the World; Token Lodge No. 290, I. O. O. F .. and of Morse Encampment No. 51, all of San Bernardino.

WILLIAM A. WALLS. Preceded by sev- eral years of indifferent success in various lo- calities in the state, Mr. Walls came to Po- mona in 1891, two years later purchased his ranch of ten acres two and a half miles south- east of town, and in 1898 established the nu- cleus of his present dairy business, now grown to be one of the substantial enterprises of the kind in the locality. When he purchased the ranch in 1893 no buildings had as yet been erected, but as soon as it came into his pos- session he built a comfortable residence for his family and later such outbuildings as were necessary for the prosecution of his dairy in- dustry. He now has thirty-five head of milch cows, in the care of which and in handling the products of the dairy he gives employ- ment to two men in addition to his own labor.

Born in Iowa county, Wis., September 3, 1857, William A. Walls is a son of Daniel and Margaret (Bernard) Walls, who were both born on Prince Edward Island. Both parents removed to the United States and set- tled in Wisconsin prior to their marriage, for the ceremony which united their lives and in- terests was performed in the latter state, and in that state also a number of their family of eight children were born. Later years found the family in Taylor county, Iowa, where Mr. Walls had purchased a quarter section of land, and there as in Wisconsin he continued his grain and stock enterprises. Selling out his

interests in Iowa in 1886 he came to California and located at Santa Ana, Orange county, where he lived retired fromn business cares until his death, at the age of sixty-seven years. Mrs. Walls still survives, and at the age of eighty-two makes her home in the Santa Ana residence, which has been her home for twenty years. Politically Mr. Walls was a Repub- lican, and with his wife was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, she still wor- shiping with that congregation. Of the eight children originally comprising the parental family only three are now living, William A., John W. and Mrs. F. L. Benedict, of Los An- geles.

During his boyhood years the ill-health of the father made it necessary for William A. Walls to shoulder much of the responsibility connected with the management of the home farm in Wisconsin, with the result that his education was sadly neglected, but such op- portunities as he had he improved with greater zeal for that very reason. At the time of the removal of the family to Taylor county, Iowa, he was eighteen years old, and there as in Wisconsin he continued to work for his father on the home farm until 1884, that year wit- nessing his removal to the west and his set- tlement in Los Angeles county. He became foreman of the Hollenbeck fruit ranch, but his position was destined to be shortlived owing to the disastrous fire which destroyed the en- terprise. For a short time thereafter he was engaged in the dairy business in Los Angeles, but later established himself with his brother in the butcher business in Santa Ana, his par- ents having located there in the meantime. During the two years in which he carried on business there he was quite successful, and with the money thus accumulated he joined interests with his brother in the purchase of a forty-acre ranch. This was during the boom days, and the fate of their undertaking went the way of the majority of investments dur- ing those unstable times. Putting his losses and disappointments behind him Mr. Walls came to Pomona in 1891 and began a fruit- ranching enterprise which he conducted with splendid results for the following seven years. During the past nine years he has demon- strated his ability along the special line of agriculture which he has chosen, and is now recognized as one of the most thoroughly versed and successful dairymen in the vicinity of Pomona.

The year before coming to the west. in 1883, Mr. Walls was united in marriage with Hattie E. Landon, who was born in Iowa, the daughter of Capt. S. N. Landon. a well-known resident of that commonwealth, where his

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death occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Walls are the parents of two children, Roy and Guy, both of whom are receiving the careful training which their parents are well qualified to be- stow. Both are members of the Presbyterian Church. As was his father, Mr. Walls is an advocate of Republican principles, and the only order of which he is a member is the Fraternal Aid. Much praise is due Mr. Walls for what he has accomplished since locating in the state, for in spite of discouragements he still kept his courage high and forged ahead, with the result that he is now one of the well- to-do ranchers of Los Angeles county.

GEORGE H. PECK, SR. The life which this narrative depicts began at Burlington, Vt., March 4, 1819, in the home of John and Almira (Keyes) Peck, and closed in Southern Cali- fornia in 1903. The intervening years repre- sented a period of wide travels in our own land and other countries and a long identification with the educational interests of the Pacific coast, as well as association with enterprises of a commercial order. At no time robust in health as a boy, when Mr. Peck was graduated from the University of Vermont in 1837 his delicate constitution had been so undermined by overstudy that he was unable to take up the activities toward which his aspirations pointed. It was thought that sea-air might prove bene- ficial, and accordingly he shipped on a cod-fish- ing voyage through the straits of Belle Isle, as far north as the missionary settlements of Okak and Naim, off the Labrador coast. During the winter of 1839-40 he visited the Danish West Indies and the islands of St. Thomas, Porto Rico, Hayti and Jamaica. Returning to Ver- mont much improved in health, he took up the study of law and in 1841 was admitted to the bar, but again ill-health took him to the sea. From 1842 until 1846 he was a sailor before the mast and visited many ports of the United States, South America and England, after which he re- turned to Vermont and took up mercantile pur- suits.

When the discovery of gold in California turned the tide of emigration . across the then so-called American desert into the far west, Mr. Peck was among the young men who determ- ined to seek his fortune in the new country. December 1, 1849, lie landed in California, where he found conditions unsettled and con- stantly shifting. During his first summer he farmed fifty miles south of San Francisco. The next year he engaged in the produce business in the city, and in 1851-52 mined on the middle fork of the American river, investing his earn- ings in several thousand acres in Yolo county,

where he remained for two years. February 14, 1854, he opened in Sacramento the first public school in the state outside of San Francisco. In 1857-58 he practiced law at Dutch Flat, Nevada county, and then visited old friends in Vermont. After his return he taught bookkeeping in San Francisco, where he was the first to teach the double entry system. In May of 1860 he opened the San Francisco industrial school, and from 1861 to 1863 he was grammar master, which, in those days, was the highest educa- tional position in the state. On reliquishing the work of teacher he returned to merchandising and continued at the same until his removal to the southern part of the state.

A steamer brought the Peck family from San . Francisco to San Pedro in 1869, and soon after- ward they settled on a ranch of about five hun- dred acre's at El Monte. While it was possible to raise crops in those days, it was not possible to find a market for them, and consequently the family endured many privations and vicissitudes during those first years in Los Angeles county. By means of teaching Mr. Peck was able to eke out a livelihood, and for two years he acted as county superintendent of schools. After a time markets opened up, settlers came into the country, improvements began to be made in lands and the fortunes of the early settlers changed for the better, so that thereafter he en- joved a gratifying degree of prosperity. While living in Northern California he established do- mestic ties, his marriage, April 30, 1864, unit- ing him with Mary W. Chater, who was a mem- her of a New England family early established in the west. Four children were born of their union, namely: John H. F., a merchant of Soda Springs, Idaho; George H., whose sketch ap- pears elsewhere in this volume; Kate, wife of Albert Gibbs, of South Pasadena, and Marv C., Mrs. John E. Jardine, also a resident of Pasa- clena. The closing years of Mr. and Mrs. Peck were passed in quiet retirement in their Pasa- dena home, where to both came the end of ac- tivities. United in life, in death they were not long divided, the wife surviving her husband for only one year.

JAMES H. RITCHIE. A pioneer of Los Angeles county and a citizen well known and respected by all, James H. Ritchie was born in Nova Scotia May 7. 1843, and educated in the common schools of that section. He was one of eleven children born to his parents, Andrew and Elizabeth (Jefferson) Ritchie, both natives of the same place, and both now deceased, the father dying at the age of forty-seven and the mother at eighty-two. The father was a farmer throughout his entire life and owned a valuable

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

property in Nova Scotia. Seven of the children are at the present writing making their home in Nova Scotia, while James H. is the only one in California.

In Nova Scotia James H. Ritchie learned the trade of blacksmith, and after serving his ap- prenticeship at Yarmouth he came to California and in San Francisco engaged in the prosecution of his trade. He was next located in Stockton, where the ensuing three years were similarly spent. Coming to Los Angeles in 1869 he first worked for John Toller, a pioneer blacksmith of this section, and later for the Cerro Gordo Freight Company. For about three years fol- lowing this last employment he worked for I. F. Nadeau, after which he went to the mines in Arizona and there followed his trade for about three years. Returning to Los Angeles county he established a blacksmith shop on Florence and Compton avenues and has since been occu- pied in the conduct of this enterprise. During the years in which he has been located here he has made one trip to Arizona.

In 1872 Mr. Ritchie married Miss Mary F. Jennings, a native of Illinois, and born of this union are the following children: Elizabeth, who married Charles D. Burt, of Los Angeles ; Harry Clifton, who died at the age of three years: Georgia L., J. Harry, Jr., Frances G. and Charles E. The family homestead is a hand- some structure, surrounded by ample grounds, on Compton avenue. Mrs. Ritchie is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Ritchie has been a member of the Masonic organization for many years, having been associated with a lodge in Nova Scotia. Politically he is a Re- publican and takes an active interest in public affairs.

CLARENCE E. COE was born in Iowa, January 23, 1873, a son of N. F. Coe, who is represented elsewhere is this volume. Mr. Coe was about ten years of age at the time the family removed from Iowa to California, and the greater part of his education was, therefore, received in the latter state. As soon as he reached his majority he started out on his inde- pendent career, renting a ranch of three hun- dred acres in close proximity to Santa Monica. Some time after he took charge of his father's ranch, which he later purchased. By his intelli- gent industry and devotion to the welfare of Los Angeles county he gained the esteem of ac- quaintances and a fair competence as well.

Mr. Coe's marriage, October 23, 1895, united him with a native daughter of the state, Miss Laura E. Bauder, whose father, Rev. T. J. Bauder, was a presiding elder in the United Brethren denomination for many years. By his

wife, formerly Miss Electa M. Clifford, five children were born, as follows: Minnie, Lelah, Myrtle, Laura E. and Talmage. Prior to her deatlı, in 1895, Mrs. Bauder was an active worker in the United Brethren Church, and took an equal interest in the work carried on by the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Four children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Coe. Named in order of birth they are as follows: Theron E., Etta E., Mildred E. and Clifford B. Following the teaching of her parents Mrs. Coe is an adherent of the United Brethren Church, the welfare of whose interests she has at heart, and both by personal efforts and financially she assists in carrying on the work of that organization.

GUSTAV FERDINAND JOHNSON. Many of the most active and prosperous business men of Los Angeles county are of foreign birth, and have transported to this land of fertility and plenty the habits of industry and thrift that win success. Prominent among these is Gustav Fer- dinand Johnson, of San Pedro, who is identified with the advancement of the lumber trade of this part of the state as a surveyor and tally- man, in both of these lines being without a peer. The youngest of a family of seven children, of whom three daughters and one son are living, he was born, September 26, 1864, in Nikolaistad, Finland. His father, the late John Johnson, was there engaged in merchant tailoring during his active career, and there his mother, whose maiden name was Louisa Vickstrand, still re- sides.

Having completed his studies in the common schools of his native land, Gustav Ferdinand . Johnson went to sea when a boy of fourteen years, going first on a coaster, and afterwards sailing on an English vessel to Pensacola, Fla., from there going to Malaga, Spain, and thence back to Liverpool. Shipping then on the Eng- lish vessel Loyola, he came around Cape Horn to the Pacific coast, landing in San Pedro in 1881, after a tedious voyage of one hundred and sixty-two days. The ensuing four years, he was here employed in the coasting trade, the last year being second mate. Giving up sea- faring pursuits in 1885, he entered the employ of the San Pedro Lumber Company, beginning in the very lowest position to learn the business, at first being a lumber carrier. From time to time he was promoted, at the end of three years becoming lumber surveyor, a position that he retained until 1899, when he severed his con- nection with the company. Since that time he has been engaged in business on his own account, and as a lumber surveyor and tally- man has met with marked success. A man

1885

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of good financial judgment, industrious and sav- ing, he has accumulated a fine property, and on O'Farrell street, Barton Hill, has erected a sub- stantial residence, which, with its beautiful lawn, adorned with magnificent roses and evergreens, is one of the most attractive in the city. He is interested to some extent in fruit culture, and has a grape vine which is said to be the largest in San Pedro. In 1902 he assisted in organizing the Lumber Surveyors' Association, and has since been a member of its finance committee.

In Astoria, Ore., Mr. Johnson married Wen- dla Nelson, who is also a native of Nikolaistad, Finland, and they became the parents of three children, Ida, Otto and Carl, the last named dy- ing June 16, 1906. Mr. Johnson was made a Mason in Wilmington, demitted from that lodge, and became a charter member of San Pedro Lodge No. 332, F. & A. M. He is likewise a member of the Ancient and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being past grand of his lodge, and is a member of the Rebekah Lodge. In na- tional politics he is a Republican, but in local affairs votes for the best men and measures, re- gardless of party prejudices.

OSCAR FITZALLEN PALMER. In every progressive city the time comes when the old must give way to the new, and in the case of buildings, too valuable to be destroyed, the busi- ness of house-moving becomes important, render- ing possible the removal of the structure to a lot less centrally located or of less financial value. Reasons of this character, supplementing the need of the wreckage of buildings no longer hab- itable, caused the organization of the firm of Palmer Brothers in 1901, the members of the firm being Oscar, William and Edward Palmer, who have established the largest business of its kind in San Diego and devote their attention to the filling of contracts for the moving, remodel- ing or wrecking of houses. They are the own- ers of various lots and houses in the city and some years ago purchased the old Horton house, the annex of which they removed to their lot on Union street to be used as a hotel.

The founder of the Palmer family in San Diego was John D., a native of Ohio, a soldier in an Ohio regiment during the Civil war and a manufacturer of lumber for many years. Re- moving from Ohio to California in 1884, he set- tled in San Diego, where he took contracts to remove and remodel houses, continuing actively engaged in business until his retirement in 1904. His death occurred in this city in February of 1906 and was mourned by the large circle of friends he had formed in this city since coming here as a citizen and business man. For years

he was identified with the Grand Army of the Republic and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in religious views he was of the Methodist Episcopal faith. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Lydia Swift, was born in Ohio and now makes her home in San Diego.

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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 114

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