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 126

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

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shacks constituted the only improvement on the place, but he immediately erected a two-room house for the accommodation of his family. From time to time additions were made to this

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

structure and a very commodious and comforta- ble residence has been developed therefrom. San Antonio cañon furnishes an ample supply of water for irrigating purposes, while two ar- tesian wells supply an abundance of pure and deliciously cool water for domestic purposes. During the fall of 1883 Mr. Johnson set out a small portion of his ranch to oranges, continu- ing to improve his ranch in this way from year to year, until in four seasons he had the entire tract of five acres in Washington navels, and now he justly claims one of the finest and most productive orange groves in this part of the state. Mr. Johnson was one of the most earnest workers in behalf of the organization of the Pomona branch of the Southern California Fruit Growers' Association, of which he has been an influential member ever since it became a reality.

In Oconto, Wis., September 6, 1868, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Anna Marie Las- son, like himself a native of Aalborg, Denmark, and a daughter of Peter Lasson, a native of Jutland and a brickmason by trade. Both Mr. Lasson and his wife, formerly Christine Mathia- son, also a native of Aalborg, are deceased, and of their eight children. Mrs. Johnson was the only daughter. She was reared in her native place, Aalborg, Denmark, receiving a good edu- cation in the public schools there, and has been a resident of the United States since 1868, hav- ing settled in Wisconsin during that year. One child, John Christian, has been born of the mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. He formed do- mestic ties by his marriage with Miss Alta L. Snyder, and they and their two children, Otho S. and and Ardath U., make their home in Pomona. The family are Lutherans in their re- ligious belief, and politically Mr. Johnson is a Republican. He was made an Odd Fellow in Pomona Lodge No. 246, in 1890, and for two terms served as noble grand of his lodge; he is also a member of San Antonio Encampment No. 88. I. O. O. F., of which he is past chief patri- arch. and also belongs to Heliotrope Rebekah Lodge No. 183. of which Mrs. Johnson is also a member.

TOVEY BROWN HIMROD. Standing high among the capable and systematic horticult- urists and ranches in Los Angeles county who have met with undisputed success is Tovey B. Himrod, of Pomona, who is the owner of an orange grove and has a thirty-acre alfalfa ranch within the city limits of Pomona, from which he reaps a splendid income, his average yield being between six and seven crops per season. Since taking possession of the property in 1897 he has worked courageously in its improvement, and by the exercise of his native industry and his able

business capacity he has rendered it one of the most productive estates in the neighborhood.

Of German descent on the paternal side, Tovey B. Himrod is a grandson of Moses Lattimore Himrod, who was born in Pennsylvania. He was a farmer in Erie county, that state, and on the homestead near Waterford his son John L. was born. He, too, followed agricultural pur- suits for his life calling, first in Pennsylvania and later in Kingsville, Ohio, but subsequently re- turned to his native state. It was in 1868 that he severed his connection with the east by his re- moval to Kansas, settling upon a farm in Wood- son county, which he improved until its value was' enhanced many fold over its original cost. From Kansas he removed to Humboldt county, Iowa, in 1882, remaining there for six years, when he removed to the Pacific coast, locating in Pomona. His active labors ceased with the dis- posal of his lowa farm, and from the time of coming to Pomona in 1888 until his death, Janu- ary 7, 1906, he lived retired, in the enjoyment of the accumulations of former years. The wife and mother, formerly Mary E. Brown, was also a native of the Keystone state, born in Warren county, the daughter of Robert Brown, who fol- lowed farming in Pennsylvania during earlier life and finally removed west to Iowa, in which state his death occurred. Mrs. Himrod died in Ohio in 1867, having become the mother of eight children, of whom seven are now living.

Next to the oldest in his parents' family, To- vey B. Himrod was born in Waterford, Pa., Au- gust 19. 1853, and was reared principally in Pennsylvania and Ohio, attending public school in the latter state until he was fifteen years of age. His mother having died in 1867, the fol- lowing year the father took the family to Kan- sas, and from that year until 1875 he worked on his father's farm in Woodson county. A desire to strike out in his own behalf became evident in the latter year, when he went to Red Wing, Goodhue county, Minn., and carried on a farmi there for two years. In 1878 he removed to Humboldt county, Iowa, and bought a new farm of eighty acres, improving it from raw prairie land into one of the fine farming estates in that part of the country, having in the meantime added an adioining tract of eighty acres. He sold his one hundred and sixty acre farm in 1897 and came to California, whither his father had preceded him about nine years. Soon after com- ing to Pomona he purchased an orange grove in this vicinity, and later purchased two others, which he sold. He now makes his home on the four-acre ranch on Kingsley avenue. He also owns a thirty-acre alfalfa ranch two miles south of the postoffice and within the city limits, which produces a remarkable yield of from six to seven crops per season. An excellent pumping plant

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furnishes an abundance of water, which is dis- tributed to all parts of the ranch by means of a twenty-five horsepower gas engine.

In Red Wing, Minn., November 13, 1877, Mr. Himrod married Miss Dorcas A. Williams, who was born in Mankato, Minn., the daughter of William Riley Williams, born in Indiana of Welsh descent. From Indiana he removed to Minnesota during the early history of its settle- ment by the whites and participated in the New Ulin massacre. During the Civil war he en- listed as a member of a Minnesota regiment, but did not survive the hardships of warfare to re- turn to his family, dying on the battlefield at Little Rock, Ark. His wife, formerly Jeston Al- corn, was also born in Indiana, and she died in North Dakota. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, three of whom are living. The youngest of the family, Mrs. Himrod was educated in Red Wing, Minn., and for two years she taught school in that city. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Himrod, of whom one died in childhood, and Nellie died in 1904, at the age of sixteen years and six months. The others are: James Lattimore, in New Jersey ; William Brown, attending Pomona College; Minnie Al- myra and Edwin Ray, both at home. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and politically Mr. Himrod is a Republican. As one of the most prominent and successful orange growers in this part of the state, Mr. Himrod's membership in the Southern California Fruit Exchange is a decided acquisition, as it is also in the Kingsley Tract Water Company, Lim- ited, of which he was at one time president.

JOHN Q. ADAMS. As Pomona lies in the heart of one of California's richest fruit belts it is a natural consequence that the greater number of its residents are horticulturists, among whom mention belongs to Mr. Adams. His residence in the valley dates from the year 1894, at which time he purchased his present ranch of seventeen acres, all of which is devoted to oranges with the exception of three acres in vineyard. At the time he bought the property it was devoid of any improvement, and all that is visible today is the work of his own hands, for, aside from planting his orchard and setting out his vineyard, he erected the family residence and ranch buildings.

As is true of so many of Pomona's residents, Mr. Adams is not a native of California, but comes from the Mississippi valley. Although his parents were natives of the east, almost their entire lives were associated with the middle west, where as a minister in the Congregational de- nomination the greater part of the father's active life was spent. Born in Saratoga Springs, N. Y., September 14, 1815, Amos B. Adams was

reared and educated principally in Ohio, and was one of the first graduates of Oberlin Col- lege, receiving his diploma from the classical course in 1840 and from the theological depart- ment in 1843. His ordination as a minister of the Gospel followed soon after his graduation, and about this time also, October 18, 1843, oc- curred his marriage with Miss Charlotte Merrell, a native of Connecticut, although they met as students in Oberlin College. Mr. Adams was first sent as a missionary among the Indians in what is now the state of Iowa, and was later transferred to the Chippewa Indians of the north. Traveling in those early days was attended with considerable difficulty and danger. Before the present locks were constructed he sailed up the Great Lakes in a small schooner, landing on the west end of Lake Superior, where is now located the present flourishing city of Duluth, Minn. From that point he went by canoe on the Missis- sippi river to his charge as minister and teacher among the Indians. His work among the Chip- pewas was ruthlessly broken in upon by the hos- tile Sioux during the Civil war, and he with the other white settlers in the vicinity were obliged to seek safety in Fort Ripicy. Subsequently, in the summer of 1863, he took up life anew amid the forbidding conditions of northern Michigan. From Milwaukee, Wis., he crossed Lake Michi- gan on the schooner Stronach and finally took up his residence at Benzonia. There he became identified with Grand Traverse College, a Con- gregational institution, and in addition to his duties therein he followed farming and fruit rais- ing. It was while there that he was deprived of the companionship of his wife, who passed away in 1892, at the age of seventy-six years. Subse- quently he went to Manistee, Mich., and from then until his death, September 5, 1906, made his home with his daughter, Mrs. J. J. Hubbell. His life had been an active and useful one, and al- though he lacked but nine days of reaching his ninety-first birthday, was in full possession of his mental faculties. As the last surviving mem- ber of the Oberlin class of 1840 he was laid to rest in the family lot in Benzonia Cemetery. Five of his six children still survive him : W. H. and John Q., of Pomona, Cal .; Charles F., of Benzonia, Mich .; Mrs. J. O. Beach, of New Britain, Conn .; and Mrs. J. J. Hubbell, of Manis- tee, Mich. Another son, Albert B. Adams, was a resident of Manistee from 1887 until 1892, dur- ing which time he assisted in the survey and loca- tion of the Manistee and Northeastern Railway; his death occurred in Long Beach, Cal.

While his parents were living in Benton coun- ty, Minn., John Q. Adams was born, July 20, 1856. His recollections of his birthplace are rather vague, for he was only seven years old when his parents left there and located in Benzie

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county, Mich. After a course in the common schools of Benzonia he became a student in Grand Traverse College, of which institution his father was one of the trustees. Subsequently he be- came interested in the fruit enterprise which his father also carried on, remaining at home until attaining his majority. Subsequently he engaged in the raising of peaches independently, and it was with all of these years of experience as assets that he came to Pomona in 1894 and established the nucleus of his present successful enterprise.

In 1885 Mr. Adams was married to Jennie E. Miner, a native of Canada, and five children have been born to them, Bessie, John, Paul, Wilbur and Donald. Mr. Adams still owns about forty acres of land in Michigan, although he has sold all of his fruit land. While a resident of that state he advanced the interests of his community by a whole-hearted interest in its governmental affairs, and was a valuable acquisition to the school board of Benzonia. This same interest in the welfare of his adopted home in the west has always been apparent, and he is counted among her most active and respected citizens. Political- ly he is a Republican, and with his wife is a mem- ber of the Congregational Church. During the summer of 1906 Mr. Adams and family returned to Michigan for a visit, spending about two and a half months among the scenes of his earlier years.

EDWARD ABPLANALP. The Swiss fam- ily of Abplanalp became transplanted in America during the early half of the nineteenth century, when Jacob 'Abplanalp emigrated from Switzer- land to the new world and settled among the pioneer farmers in the southeastern part of Indi- ana. Accompanying him to the United States .was his son, Peter, a native of Switzerland, but from boyhood a resident of Indiana, where he en- gaged in farming until his death. During the Civil war he enlisted in the Union army and served as a private in the Sixty-fourth Indiana Infantry. From the organization of the Republi- can party until his death he never swerved in his allegiance to its platform and principles. In the old country the family had become identified with the religious movement inaugurated by Martin Luther and he was reared in the Lutheran faith, which he always supported. In young manhood he married Martha Garrison, who was born in Franklin county, Ind., and died there in 1905. The Garrison family was among the pioneer fam- ilies of Franklin county and her father, James, was for years and until his death a leading agri- culturist of that locality.

In a family consisting of seven sons and three daughters, Edward Abplanalp was the oldest and he was born November 27, 1865, on the farm oc-

cupied by his parents, Peter and Martha Ab- planalp. The family being large and their means very limited, it became necessary for him to begin at an early age to assist in the support of the younger children. When only fourteen he began to learn the carpenter's trade in the vicinity of Sunman, Ripley county, Ind., not far from the old home farm, and from that time onward he was self-supporting. During October of 1886 he arrived in California and secured employment at Santa Ana in horticultural work. From there three years later he removed to Chino, San Ber- nardino county, and took up carpentering in addi- tion to farm pursuits. While living in that town he married Miss Mary Bostleman, a native of Ohio, and a woman possessing many pleasing traits of character. Two sons, Arthur and Henry, bless their union.

While following his trade in 1891 Mr. Abpla- nalp was engaged to assist in the construction of a beet factory for the American Beet Sugar Com- pany, and from that beginning he continued for seven seasons as foreman in charge of the com- pany's boilers. When it was decided to establish a plant at Oxnard he was one of the first men to come to the place and built the first house in the town, a cottage on the corner of Sixth and A streets. From the arrival of the first carload of material for the Oxnard factory he was employed as a foreman in the work of construction and for a time he held a position as engineer in charge of the hoisting engine. On the completion of the plant he took up general contracting and building and continues in the same occupation to the pres- ent time, having since October of 1902 been a partner of J. H. Myers under the firm title of Myers & Abplanalp.

The partners not only carry on a large contract- ing business, but also own and operate a planing mill, Mr. Myers having charge of the mill, while Mr. Abplanalp superintends all building opera- tions. Among the buildings which he has super- intended may be mentioned the Union Oxnard high school, Stephens residence, the Cohn and H. K. Snow residences, and his own residence on Fifth street; also the steam laundry, Wineman block, Schmitz building, Cohn building. water tanks for the water company, and the Lutheran, Christian and Episcopal churches, all of which work has been done in a reliable, efficient and workmanlike manner. In addition, he has erected many houses in the country and he also superin- tended the building of the grammar school before he began to take contracts. His attention has been given very closely to business affairs and he has had little leisure for participation in local politics, but he is a pronounced Republican and always votes the straight party ticket. Fratern- ally he affiliates with the Knights of Pythias and holds office as past chancellor in the local lodge.

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Reared in a home where the doctrines of the Lutheran denomination were taught to the chil- dren, he was early confirmed in that church and ever since has been an active member thereof, contributing generously of time and means to its maintenance.

WILLIAM T. NEELY. Early in the nine- teenth century the Scotch family of Neely be- came established in the United States, and John Neely, representative of the first generation born in America, was a native of Philadelphia, where he grew to manhood and learned the hat- ter's trade. During the memorable year of 1849 he started across the plains with a comrade from St. Joseph, Mo., the two traveling on horseback, and having only one horse with which to cross the desert. On his arrival in California he at once engaged in prospecting and mining and met with good success in his efforts to discover gold in paying quantities. During 1853 he re- turned east via Panama, but the next year found him returning by the same route to the mines, where he remained until 1856, and then went back east to remain. After a brief sojourn in Philadelphia in 1857 he became a pioneer farm- er of Iowa, where he bought a tract of land near Burlington and engaged in farming. Though never active in politics, he always kept posted concerning national issues and always voted the Republican ticket. Fraternally he was a Mas- ter Mason. After a long and industrious life he passed away in 1899, having for twenty- three years survived his wife, who was Maria Barton, a native of Philadelphia, descended from Welslı ancestry.

Among the seven children of John Neely (all of whom are still living) William T. Neely of San Diego was fourth in order of birth, and was born on the home farm near Burlington, Iowa, June 3, 1860. As a boy he received fair ad- vantages, being a student first in the common schools, then in Denmark Academy and later in Elliott's Business College at Burlington. After leaving school he taught for three years and then, in 1885, began to learn the carpenter's trade. The following year he visited California for the first time and while in the state followed his trade for brief periods at Santa Barbara, Pasadena and Los Angeles, returning to Iowa in the spring of 1888. Removing to Salt Lake City in 1889 he followed his trade, also took contracts for building houses and stores, further- more had mining interests in the locality, and for two years acted as deputy county sheriff.

On coming to California the second time Mr. Neely settled in San Diego in 1897 and since then has engaged in contracting and building, being now a member of the firm of Willard & Neely.

The present partnership was begun in 1886 and has continued at intervals since. Interested in everything pertaining to his chosen occupation, Mr. Neely holds membership in the Master Builders' Association and keeps posted concern- ing every advance made in the building business. While making his home in Salt Lake City he married Miss Laura Koontz, who was born in Ohio, and is a faithful member of the Baptist Church. They are the parents of five children, John, Glenn, Harry, Charles and Ruth. Since coming to San Diego Mr. Neely has been made a Mason in Silver Gate Lodge No. 296, F. & A. M., and has also become identified with all the bodies of the Consistory in this city, besides being connected with the Woodmen of the World. Though like his father in respect to taking no part in politics, he nevertheless gives his allegiance stanchly to Republican principles and his ballot is always to be depended upon as an aid to the candidates of the party in local and general elections.

CASPER BORCHARD. The success which has accompanied the efforts of Casper Borchard, one of Ventura county's representative citizens, has been such as to denote his possession of abil- ity of more than ordinary calibre, for he began life against heavy odds-without means or friends, in a new country and with a new lan- guage to learn, beginning at the foot of the lad- der and working his way step by step to the top- most rung-to-day holding rank with men of wealth and influence, hoth of which he can al- ways be counted upon to give of freely toward the advancement of his adopted land.

Mr. Borchard is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in 1842, in Werxhansen, province of Hanover. The family is one of the oldest of that locality and many of the name still reside there. Ambition as well as ability have always been distinguishing characteristics in members of the family, and Casper Borchard was no exception to the general rule. Realizing the fact that the western world afforded many more opportunities to the young man of to-day, he early decided to emigrate and accordingly came to America in 1867, locating in California and in Ventura county establishing his home. As his means accumulated he purchased property, continually adding to his land, until at the pres- ent writing he owns over four thousand acres in the Conejo valley. Here he has a herd of two thousand goats, while he also raises other stock on an extensive scale. It is needless to say that he has been successful; energy and patience have gone to make up his years of effort and the large financial returns are but just equivalents for that which he has given. Better still to say of his

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

character, he has won the esteem of those among whom his lot has been cast for nearly forty years, a true appreciation of his ability, his liberality, his practical citizenship being given him by those who know him best.

Mr. Borchard was married in the Fatherland to Miss Theresa Maring, a native of Germany, and born of this union are the following chil- dren : Rosa, wife of Silas Kelly, of Conejo val- liey; Mary, at home; Leo, who is married and lives near Santa Ana, Orange county, Cal .; Cas- per, Jr., residing near Santa Ana ; Antone, an en- terprising young ranchman who has charge of the home ranch in the Conejo valley; Frank, a partner in the management of the home ranch; and Charles and Theresa, with their father. The mother passed away in 1898, at the age of forty- nine years. The home of the family is now lo- cated near Huntington Beach, where Mr. Bor- chard owns about eight hundred acres of land, although they have a comfortable country home in the Conejo valley. As one of the oldest set- tlers of the Conejo valley Mr. Borchard has wit- nessed its development and has indeed been one of the most potent factors in its advancement to its present high position among agricultural lo- calities of this part of the state. He takes a keen interest to-day in its improvement and seeks in every possible way to enhance property values, spending large sums annually on his own vast acres which adds in turn to the adjoining lands. He is loyal to the interests of Ventura county and can always be counted upon to further any plan for its advancement.

EDWARD D. ROBERTS. Among the lead- ing financiers and business men of Southern Cal- ifornia the name of Edward D. Roberts of San Bernardino stands pre-eminent. Of a strong personality, great force of character and rare mental attainments, he is justly entitled to the honorable position which he holds in financial circles, and this, too, apart from any reflected honor from his illustrious father, J. W. Roberts, whose connection with banking interests in San Bernardino forms a part of the city's history, and whose biography will be found elsewhere in this volume.

It is the privilege of but few men to stand at the helm of three large banking institutions and guide them with safety over the financial sea, weathering storm and threatened shipwreck, in- cidents which every mariner at some time in his career has to contend with. As president of the San Bernardino National Bank, the San Ber- nardino County Savings Bank and of the First National Bank of Colton, Mr. Roberts has not only proven himself a capable captain, but has established beyond doubt the scaworthiness of

his noble ships. The history of the San Ber- nardino National Bank dates back to the year 1887, at which time it was formed, and Febru- ary 28, 1888, it opened its doors for business, with officers as follows: J. G. Burt, president ; A. H. Hart, vice-president ; E. H. Morse, cash- ier, and W. S. Hooper, teller. In 1892, at the time of the fire in the Stewart building, in which the bank is located, some of its records were de- stroyed, but the disaster caused no serious in- convenience to the bank. Among its early stock- holders were such men as Ambrose Hunt, I. R. Brunn, Richard Gird, J. G. Burt, S. E. A. Palmer, J. W. Davis, Jr., Seth Marshall, H. L. Drew, E. H. Morse, A. H. Hart, Henry Good- cell, Sr., W. S. Hooper, Richard Stewart, W. E. W. Lightfoot, L. A. Grant, John Patterson, W. W. Stow, J. W. Roberts and H. E. Harris. The first change in the presidency of the bank oc- curred in 1891, in which year J. W. Davis be- came head of the institution, but his career was short, owing to his death, which occurred Au- gust 8, 1893. J. W. Roberts was then elected to the presidency, a position which he filled with efficiency until his death about ten years later, January 9, 1903. The latter's son, E. D. Rob- erts, had been associated with the bank for a number of years, first as bookkeeper, later as assistant cashier and still later as vice-presi- dent, and his election to the presidency at the close of his father's career was a most natural sequence. The other officers at this writing are : H. E. Harris, vice-president, and W. S. Hooper, cashier. The San Bernardino National Bank claims the distinction of being the largest and strongest financial institution in the county, and the following figures will substantiate the claim : Capital stock, $100,000; surplus and profits, $150,000 ; deposits, over $1,000,000 ; and total re- sources, $1.500,000.

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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 126

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