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 123

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

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In Los Angeles Mr. Coleman married Miss Lena Linder, a native of Switzerland, and they are the parents of three children, Nancy, Magda- lene and Mary E. Mr. Coleman is a Republican in his political convictions and seeks to advance the principles he endorses, although he has never cared personally for official recognition. In his religious views he has endeavored to live up to the teachings of Christ and do the will of the Lord in his every movement, word, thought and act. Mrs. Coleman has devoted her time to spreading the Gospel for the past thirteen years.

CHRISTIAN KORTNER. From the pictur- esque mountains and bracing air of Norway have come many of the most capable ranchers in Santa Barbara county. The sea and farming have al- ways been the special province of the people of the Northlands, steeped in their beautiful legends of sailors and knights, with their simple attitude to- wards life and its responsibilities, their love of home, and their appreciation of the common, homely virtues. It is to the call of the sea, how- ever, that the Norseman listens most readily in his youth, and thus in mature life there are those who, living in our midst, and pursuing pas- toral callings, still in memory recall the boom of the waves, the raging of the elements, and the joy of sighting distant ports. Such a one is Christian Kortner, an extensive rancher near Santa Maria, who came to this country with a seaman's stipend. speaking an alien tongue. knowing nothing of the habits or customs of his associates, and who now is the possessor of a competence won through untiring perseverance.

Mr. Kortner was born in Norway, January 14. 1845, and while still the school room should have claimed him, went to sea as a deck hand. In

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this he had a precedent in his father, who touched at many ports during a long sea-faring carcer, and who finally died of yellow fever on ship board, and was buried in the cemetery of the sea. Ole Kortner was forty-six years old at the time of his death, and he left a family of seven child- ren, three of whom are living in California. His wife, in girlhood Gurna Nelson, survived him many years, her death occurring at the age of seventy-three. Christian Kortner followed the uncertain fortunes of the ocean for seven years, and finally touched at New York, from where he shipped in the American vessel Twilight for the long voyage around the Horn to San Francisco. Here terminated his nautical career, and soon after began his agricultural efforts in Alameda county,

After two years in Alameda county Mr. Kort- ner spent two years in the San Joaquin valley, moving then to Monterey county, where he re- mained four years. He next farmed for thirteen years in San Luis Obispo county, and in 1892 came to Santa Barbara county, locating on his present ranch of two hundred and fifteen acres. He also farms a tract of one hundred and forty acres, and another of eighty acres, devoting his land principally to grain, beans and stock. He is a studious and industrious farmer, and has always adhered to the first principle of saving as a guarantee of financial success. However, the habits of thrift and economy have not prevent- ed his adoption of American comforts and con- veniences, or his appreciation of the diversions and refinements made possible by the larger op- portunities by which he is surrounded.

In 1887 Mr. Kortner married Mrs. Maria Han- son, who was born in Denmark, and who, through her former marriage, is the mother of four chil- dren : Ellen, wife of George Tunnel; Rasmus, Maria and Jens. To Mr. and Mrs. Kortner have been born four children: Olga, Laura, Christian and Henry. Mr. Kortner is a Democrat in pol- itics and a member of the Lutheran Church. He is a public spirited and enlightened rancher, an enthusiastic supporter of schools and general improving agencies, and an admirer of the gov- ernment and institutions of his adopted country.

CHARLES GROSJEAN. A lumberman of practical experience and judgment Mr. Grosjean is connected with the San Pedro Lumber Com- pany as order clerk. Like many other enterpris- ing young men of the east, he left home soon after attaining his majority to seek a new and wider field of operation, coming to the Pacific coast in search of a favorable opportunity for improving his financial condition. For the past twelve years he has lived in this thriving city, and during the time has labored with persistency

of purpose and has acquired a nice property. A son of Edward Grosjean, he was born, Octo- ber 2, 1854, at Mount Eaton, Ohio, where his paternal grandfather, Charles Grosjean, was a pioneer settler, and from the wild tract of land which he bought reclaimed a good farm.

Born in canton Berne, Switzerland, Edward Grosjean came with his parents to the United States when young, and in the clearing and improving of the parental homestead was an able assistant. He subsequently engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, carrying on general farming, and also owning and operating a saw-mill. In 1852 he came across the plains to California, and after mining for a time with good success returned, on the Golden Gate, which was sub- sequently burned, going home by way of the Isthmus. Erecting a large mill in Ohio, he was afterwards engaged in the manufacture of lumber until his death, at the early age of forty- one years. He was a man of sterling integrity and worth, and occupied a place of prominence in Masonic circles, having taken the thirty- second degree in that order. He married Caro- line Wisen, who was born in Berne, Switzerland, and died in Mount Eaton, Ohio. Of the ten children born of their union, four sons and one daughter are living, Charles being the oldest son.

Brought up on a farm, and educated in the common schools, Charles Grosjean was trained in early life to habits of industry and thrift. As a boy he worked in his father's saw-mill, be- coming expert in all departments connected with its management. In 1887 he came to Cali- fornia, locating at Guerneville, Sonoma county, where he engaged in the manufacture of lumber, in the mill running everything from the plane to the big saw, and serving as tallyman. Go- ing to San Francisco in 1881, he was tallyman and foreman for the Moore & Smith Company for four years, and the following seven years was similarly employed in Oakland, with the Puget Sound Lumber Company. He was subsequently foreman for eight months for Simpson & Gray, in Stockton, afterwards being foreman for the Glenwood Lumber Company in San Jose. Com- ing to San Pedro in 1893, he accepted the posi- tion of foreman with the San Pedro Lumber Company, and in that capacity rendered ac- ceptable service until 1899. when he resigned. He has since continued his residence here, and is now order clerk for the same firm. Familiar with the manufacture of lumber from his earlier years, he brings to the business experience, in- dustry and a large amount of ability. He has accumulated some property of value, and at No. 270 Fifth street has erected a fine residence.

In Millersburg, Ohio, January 1, 1881, Mr. Grosjean married Lina M. Beckler, a native of that place, being the daughter of Eugene Beckler,

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who settled there on coming to this country from France. Fraternally Mr. Grosjean is a member of the Foresters of America, and of the Inde- pendent Order of Foresters. He is a man of high moral standing in the community, and be- longs to the Congregational Church.

LEANDER COLUMBUS MILLER. Since 1886 L. C. Miller has been heavily interested in Los Angeles county property and in the past twenty years has bought and improved many pieces of land which he afterwards platted and sold as town lots. He is of German descent. his grandfather, John Miller, being a native of Germany, where in early manhood he was en- gaged as a potter and farmer. Later he emi- grated to America and became a pioneer of Union county, Ind., where he pre-empted the first piece of government land, and resided un- til his death in 1851 at the advanced age of eighty-three years. His wife was Phoebe Mc- Clure before her marriage in 1792, and her death occurred in 1848, aged seventy-seven years. Mr. Miller's parents, Abraham and Susanna (Lybrook) Miller, were both natives of Indiana, the former born in 1810, died July 9, 1860, the latter born May 2, 1830, died October 30, 1883. They were the parents of seven children, six of whom are living, and the father was a firm be- liever in the principles of the Republican party.

In the middle of the past century when the central states were really the frontier border- land, it was not easy to secure an education. Mr. Miller who was born near College corner, Ohio. on the Indiana side, October 9, 1846, was obliged to be content with what he could learn in from three weeks to three months a year at the dis- trict school. His father died when the son was fourteen years old and until he was twenty-eight years of age he worked on the farm for his moth- er. He then married and came to California but soon returned to Indiana and again conducted the home farm, his mother being in ill health. After her death he sold the place, settled and divided the estate and came in Glendale, Cal., where he purchased twenty acres of land, subdivided and sold it and then in company with three others bought a tract of eighty acres and disposed of it in the same way. The Santa Monica district attracted him next, and selecting a tract of forty acres which was then bare and desolate he im- proved it and gradually added more acres to his original purchase until he had seventy-five acres. Again he decided to subdivide a portion of the land. and choosing the forty acres lving nearest to Venice he made the addition of East Venice. In addition to his other properties Mr. Miller also owns a fine residence on Thirtieth street in Los Angeles where he makes his home.

His wife was Katharine Smith whose parents and grandparents were natives of North Caro- lina, with the exception of her father, Alexander Smith, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, where he engaged as a farmer and stock dealer, later removing to Indiana, where he married and spent the rest of his life. Her mother came to California and her death occurred at Santa Monica. Mrs. Miller was born Septem- ber 16, 1848, and became the mother of seven children, five of whom are still living. They are Olive Leona, married to Mr. Spencer, now de- ceased ; Glen G., a dentist; Myron C., formerly manager of the telephone office, and now of Whittier ; Laurel Revel, a high school student ; and Zelma K., at home. Religiously the fam- ily attend and support the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically Mr. Miller is a stanch believer in the principles advocated by the Repub- lican party. He is accorded a prominent place in the ranks of the leading citizens of Los An- geles and has always been ready to lend a hand in the forwarding of progressive enterprises.

OLOF NELSON. The material upbuilding and practical development of San Diego have been promoted by the arduous efforts of the men who directly or indirectly are connected with the building business, and in this class Olof Nelson occupies an important place. Although fully competent to engage in any department of the building industry he has limited his attention to cement work and teaming contracts. For a time prior to 1905 he was a member of the firm of Engebretsen & Nelson, but during the latter year he sold his interest in the business to Mr. Enge- bretsen and since then has engaged independ- ently in contract grading and teaming, for which purpose he utilizes about ten teams. As a con- tractor he has proved prompt and reliable and has carried out all work with energy and dis- patch.

Near Gottenburg, Sweden, Olof Nelson was born April II, 1858, being a son of Nels Ander- son by his marriage to Caroline, daughter of Andreas, all natives of the same part of Sweden and farmers by occupation. In the parental fam- ily there were four sons and three daughters, all of whom are still living, Olof being the voungest of the seven and the only one to settle in the United States. During boyhood he worked on the farm in summers and attended school in the winter, receiving such educational advan- tages as the time and place afforded. After he had attained his majority he continued on the old homestead, but it was his ambition to emi- grate to the new world, and at the age of twenty- five years he was able to carry out his wishes in that respect. April 20, 1883, he set sail for the

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western hemisphere, and May 14 he landed at Galveston, Tex., where for some months he re- mained as an employe of the Santa Fe Railroad Company.

From Texas removing west to California in February, 1884, Mr. Nelson settled in San Fran- cisco, where he was employed in cutting stone blocks used in making pavements. November 27, 1887, he arrived in San Diego. Shortly after his arrival he began to take contracts for grading and opening roads. From quarries that he leased he secured blocks which he used in the paving of streets, and he soon came to be known as a reliable workman with a thorough knowledge of his work. In street paving and in cement' work he was at first associated with another gentleman under the title of Engebretsen & Nelson, but more recently he has been alone in business. When he came to Southern California he was a single man, and here he established a home of his own through his marriage. December 1, 1900, to Miss Carrie Johnson, who was born in Helge- bode, Varmland, Sweden, and like himself is of the Lutheran faith. They are the parents of one son. Chester Odell. Since becoming a citizen of the United States Mr. Nelson has voted with the Republican party and has displayed a deep interest in all measures relating to the progress and prosperity of his adopted country. On the organization of the Scandinavian Club of San Diego he became one of its charter members and still retains his connection with that body. Fra- ternally he holds membership with the Woodmen of the World and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having been initiated into the latter order in Sunset Lodge No. 328. besides which he is also connected with the encampment and the canton.

PETER HORTON COVINGTON. In 1876 Mr. Covington came to California and since that time he has proven himself one of the most de- voted upbuilders of the commonwealth and a citizen of unusual worth and ability. He was born near Grenada, Miss., April 4, 1847. His father, Daniel A., was born in North Carolina. March 27, 1812, and was thence taken by his father, Matthew, a native of the same state, to Huntingdon, Tenn., and there reared to young manhood. The grandfather, who was of English lescent, was a farmer in North Carolina, and there gave his strength to the American forces in the war of the Revolution, 1775-83. Daniel A. Covington followed farming for a livelihood, being first located in Tennessee, and later, in 1835, coming south to Mississippi and locating in the vicinity of Grenada. He engaged as a cotton planter on a two thousand acre plantation until 1870, when he came to California and lo-

cated in San Timoteo cañon and there home- steaded a ranch. After his retirement from pub- lic activities he removed to San Bernardino and made that city his home until his death, which occurred in 1897, at the age of eighty-five years. He was a Mason fraternally, and in religion was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He served in a Mississippi regi- ment during the Civil war. His wife, formerly Mary Horton, was born in Huntingdon, Tenn., a daughter of William Horton, a planter in that state ; her death occurred in Mississippi in 1867.

Peter Horton Covington was reared in Mis- sissippi and educated in a private academy, af- ter which, in 1864, he enlisted in the Second Mississippi Cavalry, in Company E, and served until the close of the war. He returned home and continued 'with his father until attaining his majority, when he engaged in farming on his own resources. In 1870 he took charge of the old home, dividing up the property and dis- posing of the interests, after which, in 1876, he came to California. He entered forty acres of land in San Timoteo cañon, and purchased adjoining land and there he engaged as a horti- culturist, raising principally peaches and apricots. In 1900 he grubbed out these fruit trees and set out seven acres in oranges, devoting forty acres to alfalfa and the remainder of two hundred and seventy-five acres to hay and grain. This ranch is situated three and a half miles from Redlands and is one of the valuable ranches of this section, being equipped with a pumping plant. He now rents this ranch and his dairy herd. Since 1897 he has made his home in Redlands, and in 1899 built his present residence at No. 104 East Fern street. For two years he was successfully engaged in the furniture busi- ness on West State street.

In Mississippi, near his birthplace. October I, 1869, Mr. Covington was united in marriage with Miss Martha Cruthirds, a native of that state, and a daughter of Alexander Cruthirds, of Scotch ancestry, and a planter by occupation. He served in the Civil war as a member of a Mississippi regiment. Mr. and Mrs. Covington are the parents of the following children : Will- iam, a dairyman and horticulturist near Redlands ; Anna, wife of William Best, of Santa Ana; Hester, a music teacher of Redlands; Wal- ter, engaged in the undertaking business in Houston, Tex .; Archie, in the real-estate hus- iness in Redlands; and Harry, a student at home. Mr. Covington served for years as a member of the school board in the Rail- road district and officiated as its clerk. Fra- ternally he was made a Mason in Chapel Hill Lodge No. 227, of Chapel, Miss., and is past master of the lodge. In religion he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in

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which he officiates as chairman of the board of trustees. Politically a Democrat, he has taken a keen interest in public affairs. He is a citizen who can always be counted upon to further any movement inaugurated for the benefit of the community, and is liberal and progressive in every sense of the word.

WAYMIRE BROTHERS. The above named gentlemen are leading citizens of Norwalk, where they are conducting a general hardware and implement store, carrying a very extensive stock in all articles usually found in an estab- lishment of this kind, and also sell buggies and wagons and carry on a general plumbing and gas fitting business. Although young men they are decidedly progressive and enterprising and have risen to a high position among the citizens of the place, who holds them in esteem and re- spect for their straighforward methods in con- ducting their enterprise and for their integrity and uprightness of character. Their parents, David and Margaret (Urmston) Waymire, were natives respectively of Indiana and Ohio. Af- ter engaging in ranching in various states the father finally located in Kansas, where his death occurred in 1895. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in Company I, Forty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and served for three years, being wounded in one of the leading engage- ments. He was a member of the Masonic or- ganization. Mrs. Waymire is still living and is a resident of Norwalk.

The eldest brother, Jack Waymire, was born November 19, 1873, in Clay county, Ill., also the scene of the birth of S. A. Waymire, who was born May 18, 1875. The brothers grew to young manhood together, receiving their pre- liminary education in the public schools, the elder learning the iron moulder's and tinner's trades, at which he worked in Illinois until he came to California. · The younger brother com- pleted his business education in the Gem City Business College of Quincy, Ill. He then came to California (in 1894), but returned to Illinois, coming back to California to make his home in 1901, accompanied by the youngest brother. F. D. Waymire, who was born in Clay county, Ill., August 24. 1878, and like him educated in the public schools and the Gem City Business Col- lege. He had been engaged in business in Illi- nois and after the three brothers came to Cali- fornia they engaged in ranching for some time, when they established their present business in Norwalk. The eldest brother, Jack Waymire, is the inventor of the Reliable Acetylene Genera- tor, patented in January. 1906, this part of the brother's business being under his management. He has also followed the tinner's trade in Cali-

fornia. He is identified fraternally with the Mod- ern Woodmen of America, the Fraternal Brother- hood, the Fraternal Aid, and in politics is a stanch Republican.

S. A. Waymire was married in 1905 to Miss Ada Brissenden, a native of Illinois, and they have one son, Robert. He is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and Modern Woodmen of America, and politically votes the Republican ticket. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

F. D. Waymire is also a Republican politically and with his brothers wields a strong influence in political circles in the town. He has been very successful and owns a half interest in several lots in Long Beach.

MERRITT H. DAILEY. Probably there is no one in Los Angeles county who takes more pride in his ranch than M. H. Dailey, his tract of forty acres at Lemon being equally divided among oranges and walnuts. The entire ranch is under irrigation, water for which is supplied from a pumping station on the premises. Mr. Dailey's advent into California came about as the result of a visit to the state in 1902, in that year meeting with the Shriners in San Fran- cisco. The impressions which he then gathered concerning the country and its possibilities were lasting ones, and it was in the fall of that year that he carried out his intentions to locate in the Land of Sunshine and Flowers.

Mr. Dailey is a native of New York state, born in Oakfield, Genesee county, June 15, 1848, into the home of Morril T. and Adelia Ann (Moody) Dailey, both of whom were natives of the Empire state also. By trade the father was a mechanic. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company H, Eighth New York Heavy Ar- tillery, in which he served for three years, and during the engagement at Maryland Heights re- ceived an injury which later resulted in his death. Politically he was a believer in Repub- lican principles, and with his wife was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of the five children originaily comprised in the parental family only two are now living, M. H. and his sister, Mrs. Alice Talbot, the latter re- siding in Akron, Erie county, N. Y.

Mr. Dailey received a good education in the common schools of Oakfield. N. Y., and there- after attended the Oakfield Collegiate Semi- nary. At the age of eighteen, when his school days were over, he went to Akron, Erie county, that state, and took up the study of dentistry, completing the course in New York City, where he passed his final examinations and received the title M. D. S. Going back to Akron he he- gan the practice of dental surgery, later remov-

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ing to Buffalo, and during the twenty-eight years which he practiced in these two cities became known as a thoroughly competent and conscien- tious practitioner. It was during this time, in 1902, that he came to California to meet with the Shriners in San Francisco. During the fall of the same year he located on his present ranch of forty acres near Lemon, Los Angeles county. Twenty acres are in walnuts, and the remainder of the land is set out to valencia and navel oranges, all of which are well adapted to this special climate and soil, and it is needless to say that he is making a success of his ranch. To some extent he has resumed the practice of his profession since coming to the west, but merely as an accommodation to friends and to keep occu- pied, rather than for financial gain.

In 1868 Mr. Dailey was married to Miss Annie E. Wainwright, a native of Akron, N. Y., who spent her entire life in the east. It was in the fall following her death, which occurred in April, 1902, that Mr. Dailey came to California, and in 1903 he was married to Miss Ella M. Persons, she also being a native of New York state. Politically Mr. Dailey is a Republican, and it was on the ticket of this party that he was elected town clerk of Newstead, Erie county. N. Y. His fraternal associations are numerous . and include membership in Blue Lodge No. 527. A. F. & A. M., in Akron, N. Y .; Western Star Chapter No. 34, Batavia, N. Y .; Lake Erie Commandery No. 20, Buffalo, N. Y .; Ismalia Temple of Shriners, Buffalo, N. Y .; and he is also a member of Pomona Lodge No. 789, B. P. O. E., of Pomona. Since locating in the west he has united with the Visiting Shriners Club of Los Angeles. In the vicinity of his old home in the east he still owns considerable valuable property. Personally he is a man who makes friends readily, and what is still better, has the happy faculty of retaining them.

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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 123

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