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 128

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 been admitted to practice by the state boards of New York and New Jersey in 1875, Dr. Osmun opened an office at Newark, where he remained in continuous practice until 1903, meanwhile building up such an extensive practice that, in addition to his own work, he had his son and two assistants in the office to aid in the care of patients and the routine of dental work.

The high success which came to Dr. Osmun in professional labors in Newark brought him to the attention of other members of the pro- fession throughout the state, among whom his reputation was enhanced by frequent and schol- arly contributions to the leading journals of the profession. Papers and articles to the number of about one hundred appeared in professional papers over bis signature during the years of his active work as a dentist, and all of these con- tributions showed not only literary ability, but remarkable professional knowledge. Prominent in the profession, he was chosen to act as secre- tary of the board of dental examiners of New Jersey and was also honored with the office of secretary of the National Board of Dental Ex- aminers. In addition he was elected president of the New Jersey State Dental Society, over whose deliberations he presided with dignity and impartial spirit, as he did also while acting in the capacity of president of the Central Dental Society of Northern New Jersey. The various positions which he was holding in 1903 and the large practice which he had established he re- linquished in order to become a citizen of South- ern California, where, as in his former place of residence, he has become a property owner and a leading factor in many important commercial undertakings. .

While living at Newark, N. J., Dr. Osmun married Miss Mary Eva Graves, daughter of Rev. David Graves, an honored preacher in the Methodist Episcopal denomination in northern New Jersey many years ago. In religious views Dr. and Mrs. Osmun sympathize with the doc- trines of the Methodist Episcopal denomination,

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but since coming west attend the Presbyterian Church of Whittier. They are the parents of seven children, namely: David Allen, deceased; Leighton G .; Mary Anna, deceased ; George Kent, J. Allen, Jr., Robert A. and Richard Graves. In political attachments the doctor is of the Republican faith. Shortly after his arrival on the coast he purchased Venturilla rancho, a tract of eighty acres at Rivera, where he makes his home; the greater part of the ranch is under cultivation to walnuts. At the opening of the year 1905 he acquired by purchase the con- trolling interest in the Whittier National Bank, of which he is president, holding the same posi- tion in the Home Savings Bank, is vice-president of the Whittier Light and Fuel Company, presi- dent of the Rivera Land and Water Company, and a large holder of real estate in this vicinity.

AARON A. COX. A well-known orange grower of San Bernardino county is Aaron A. Cox, who resides on a two-acre plot in San Bernardino and has a fine home with all mod- ern improvements. His birth occurred Sep- tember II, 1860, in Vandalia, Fayette county. Ill., where he received his education and lived under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age. He is the son of John and Nancy (Farmer) Cox, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Illinois, in which state their mar- riage occurred, and where they lived the rest of their lives, the mother being forty years of age, and the father living to the advanced age of eighty. They were the parents of twelve children, two of whom, John H. and Aaron A., live in San Bernardino county. The father was a member of an Illinois regiment during the last two and one-half years of the Civil war and took part in many important engagements. He was a politician of some prominence locally in the Democratic party and served two terms as sheriff of Fayette county. During his resi- dence in Illinois A. A. Cox was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and after his removal to Colorado took up a government claim. On his present property in San Bernardino he makes a specialty of fruit-raising, and is especially well posted on orange culture. From time to time he has added to his holdings, until he now has over one hundred acres.

Mr. Cox was married in Illinois to Miss Rose Dunham, a native of that state, and they have become the parents of seven children, namely : Mabel L., Harold D., William L., Roy, Clif- ford C., Donald A. and Geraldine D. Mr. Cox is a member of the Fraternal Brotherhood and Royal Mystic Legion at Rialto ; and the Wood- men of the World and Independent Order of

Odd Fellows at San Bernardino. Politically he is an advocate of Democratic principles. All progressive enterprises have his cordial sup- port and he is recognized as a citizen of ster- ling worth to the community in which he re- sides.

GEORGE B. CASTER. A leading contractor and member of the board of trustees of Colton, George B. Caster is one of the most prominent citizens of this community, in which he has re- sided about five years. His native state is Iowa, his birth having occurred in Davis county, No- vember 25, 1863. He was the son of Andrew J. and Lucinda (Hutchinson) Caster, the former born in Ohio, and the latter in Missouri. His father was a member of the state militia in Mis- souri, and when the Civil war broke out enlist- ed in Company E, Forty-fourth Regiment of Missouri Volunteers, and was killed soon after entering the service, in the battle at Franklin, Tenn. George B. was the only child of his parents and his mother now resides with him in Colton. She is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Although born in Iowa the earliest recollec- tions of Mr. Caster are of his home in Missouri, for he was but a year and a half old when his parents removed to Sullivan county, in that state, where the son was reared and received his edu- cation in the public schools. When his school days were over he remained at home until he had attained his majority, when he went to South Dakota and there learned the carpenter's trade. He continued to reside in Mitchell, Dav- idson county, for a number of years, during which time he plied his trade, then returned to Missouri and in Lexington county engaged in ranching and stock raising for twelve years. In February, 1901, he came to Colton and having sold his ranch in Missouri purchased a fine resi- dence in this city, and has been identified with the upbuilding of this section of the state since that time.

By his marriage in 1883. Mr. Caster was unit- ed with Miss Sarah Bailey, a native of Illinois, and of this union two children have been born : Ira B., who married Catherine Corbett, and is living in Colton, where he is engaged in the grocery business; and John A., who resides at home. Mrs. Caster was the daughter of John and Mary (Hall) Bailey, both of whom were born in Illinois and died in Missouri, in which two states her father was continuously engaged in agricultural pursuits during his lifetime. There were eleven children in the family, two of whom died in infancy, and one son now re- sides in Colton. Mr. Caster is prominent in fraternal orders, being a meniber of Ashlar

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Lodge No. 306, F. & A. M .; San Bernardino Chapter R. A. M .; of Colton Lodge No. 326, I. O. O. F., and the Encampment at San Ber- nardino; of the Modern Woodmen of America, Order of the Eastern Star and Rebekah lodges all of Colton, and of which Mrs. Caster is also a member. Politically he is affiliated with the Republican party and has always taken an ac- tive interest in public affairs. At one time he served as constable and for eight years was tax collector for Medicine township, Livingston county, Mo., and the people of Colton have sig- nified their confidence in his abilities by electing him to the board of city trustees. He is a man of strong principles and liberal views, has a pleasing personality and is held in the highest respect and esteem by all who know him.

CHARLES ROWE. Every nationality of the civilized world is represented in the citizenship of California and the cosmopolitan population thus given to the state has been productive of the most gratifying success, for the thrift of the Scotch- man, the determination of the Englishman, the cheerfulness of the Irish race, the suavity of the French, supplemented by the qualities of other races, combine to produce beside the sunset sea a concourse of people offering the highest quali- fications as citizens. Being of the English race, Mr. Rowe has the characteristics predominating in his countrymen, added to which is the enter- prise peculiarly American and resultant from a residence of more than twenty years in the United States.

It was during 1882 that the Rowe family be- came established in the new world, Herbert Rowe, a farmer of England, at that time remov- ing to Ontario, Canada, with his family, and settling near London. Eighteen months later he came to California and settled near Santa Bar- bara in 1884, after which he engaged in farm pursuits until his death. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza Popplestone and claimed England as her birthplace, has also passed from earth. All of their six sons are still living, Charles being third among these. While the family were living at Plymouth, England, he was born March 18, 1871, and in the local schools he received his primary education. At the time of coming to America he was eleven years of age, and for a short time he attended the schools in Ontario, but after arriving in California in 1884 he was a student in the public schools of Goleta, Santa Barbara county.

He and his brother became interested in rais- ing grain and beans in the Santa Clara valley, and for a time he continued to raise beans and beets near Oxnard. In 1901 he bought out Glenn Brothers and embarked in the livery busi-

ness, having charge of the oldest and most cen- trally located livery barn in Oxnard. The stable stands on a lot which he owns and which has a frontage of seventy-five feet, thus giving ample accommodations for the needs of the business. In addition to the conduct of a livery, boarding and sales stable, he is manager of the Oxnard Importing Company, owners of the French Per- cheron stallion Clovis and the French coach Ar- brite, and importers of animals with high pedi- grees. Besides all of his other activities he is interested in the cattle business, and with his brother owns a ranch at Santa Ynez, Santa Bar- bara county. An experience in the buying and selling of cattle which covers many years of prac- tical work well adapts him for the successful management of a cattle ranch, and in the best breeds of cattle, as in horses, his judgment is re- garded as excellent. As yet he has not given much attention to politics, but he votes the Dem- ocratic ticket in national elections and keeps post- ed concerning matters affecting the prosperity of the, country. Fraternally he holds membership with the Knights of Columbus, also with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Santa Barbara. While making his headquarters near Hueneme he married Miss Mary Donlon, who was born and reared near that village, and they are the parents of two children, Margaret and Joseph Donlon.

LEWIS G. BUTLER. The owner of a highly improved ranch in the San Jacinto valley, Lewis G. Butler is a man of large acquaintance in this section of Riverside county, and as one of the organizers of the Hemet Deciduous Fruit Asso- ciation and its efficient manager for seven years (dating from the time of its inception and con- tinuing until April, 1906, when he resigned the position) he has conclusively proved his more than usual business ability, for that enterprise has been one of the most successful of the kind yet instituted in this part of the state. . He is still a stockholder in the association, but is now devoting his time to the prosecution of his pri- vate business interests. He is a native of Wis- consin, born in 1851, the son of G. W. and E. E. Butler, neither of whom are now living.

The boyhood days of Mr. Butler were spent in De Kalb county, Ill., where he was given the benefit of a good common school education, that state having been his home until 1870, when he removed to Nebraska and farmed for a period of four years. In 1874 he yielded to a desire to locate in California, and coming to Orange county secured employment for a couple of years, after which he purchased twenty acres of land, a part of which he planted to oranges, the re- mainder being devoted to nursery purposes.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

After some time, desiring to conduct operations on a larger scale, he purchased four hundred and eighty acres of land near Westminster, in the same county, and engaged in stock-raising for a short period. Locating .subsequently in Santa Ana he lived there a season and finally purchased one hundred and twenty acres of raw land in the San Jacinto valley and began its im- provement. This was in 1884, at the time when fruit raising was in its infancy. He erected a comfortable house and the other necessary build- ings, planted fruit trees, being one of the first to engage in horticultural pursuits. With the passing of years he has continued to add im- provements to his ranch, until it is now regarded as one of the most valuable and attractive in this beautiful valley.

In Nebraska in 1872 Mr. Butler was united in marriage with Miss M. E. Selby, a native of Ohio, and they have one child, Chester G., at home. Fraternally Mr. Butler is a member of Riverside Lodge No. 643, B. P. O. E., and po- litically he is an advocate of the principles of the Republican party. In every enterprise in- stituted for the improvement of his section he takes a leading interest, and is a public-spirited citizen who is held in the highest esteem through- ottt the community.

THOMAS JOBBITT. When the Jobbitt family became established in America from Eng- land its members selected Canada as the sphere of their activities and it was not until the present generation that they became transplanted in the United States. Descended from the original. English settler in Canada was James Jobbitt. who was born and reared in Toronto, followed the trade of a merchant tailor in that city, con- ducted a large business for a very long period. and eventually passed from earth when lacking only four years of having rounded out a full century. At the same age occurred the death of his wife, Elizabeth (Bright) Jobbitt, a native of Toronto and a descendant of an English an- cestry. Of their nine children six are still liv- ing. Thomas being third in order of birth. From their parents the sons and daughters have in- herited rugged constitutions and sturdy health and as an instance of this it may be stated that Thomas, though now lacking but a few years of seventy, has never suffered with toothache or headache, but in his advancing years, as in his youth, has enjoyed exceptional health.

In the city of Toronto Thomas Jobbitt was born January 11, 1839, and there he attended the city schools, receiving fair advantages for the acquisition of a broad fund of general in- formation. From childhood he proved himself to be a natural mechanic and his ability in that

direction led him to take up carpentering, which he followed in Toronto and vicinity. During 1864 he left home and removed to Chicago, where he followed his trade, and after the great Chicago fire he took contracts for replacing buildings lost in the memorable catastrophe. For years he followed contracting in Chicago with fair success, but eventually he chanced to come to San Diego on a visit, and the desirability of the place as a location for a home led him to remove hither in December of 1888, since which time he has engaged in contracting and building in the city and vicinity. He has super- intended the erection of the Granger and Keat- ing buildings, numerous other public structures, as well as many of the finest residences here, and is universally recognized as one of the most ex- tensive builders of the city.

While never active in politics nor solicitous to hold office, Mr. Jobbitt has kept himself posted concerning national problems ever since he be- came a citizen of the United States and he has been unswerving in his allegiance to the Repub- lican party. With his wife, who was Miss Cath- crine Heap, a native of Iowa, he enjoys the es- teem of associates and the friendship of many of the most cultured people of the city. Mrs. Jobbitt has been active in the work of the Bap- tist Church and he has contributed regularly to its missionary and benevolent enterprises. Along the line of his chosen occupation he has main- tained a warm interest in the work of the Master Builders' Association, with which he has been connected ever since its organization. After coming to the coast he became connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was initiated in Sunset Lodge No. 328, to which he now belongs, in addition to being associated, with his wife, in the work of the Order of Re- bekahs.

JOHN C. BLAKE. For more than thirty years John C. Blake has been a resident of San Bernardino county and been identified with the development of this part of the state. He is a native of Canada, and was born May 12, 1850, the son of Irish parents, Patrick and Bridget (Burns) Blake, who in 1846 immi- grated to Canada, and there engaged in farm- ing. There were three children born to them, the daughter dying in infancy, one son living in Canada, and John C., of Colton. The father was sixty years of age at the time of his death, while the mother outlived her husband many years and was eighty-six when she died, both being members of the Catholic Church.

Both public and private schools were at- tended by Mr. Blake in pursuit of an education in Canada, and when not quite twenty years

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of age he left his native land for the western coast of the United States, arriving in Hum- boldt county, California, in 1870. For several years he engaged in the lumber business in that location and in 1874 removed to Los Angeles. where for one year he worked at the carpenter's trade, and then came to Colton in 1875, having charge of a section gang for the Southern Pacific Railroad, and becoming the first resident of this now thriving city. Eleven years later he gave up railroad work, and in 1887 purchased the ranch upon which he now resides. It comprises fifty acres of fertile land, six acres being devoted to fruit · and forty-four acres to grain and pasture. He has been very successful in his ranching oper- ations and is a highly respected citizen of the community in which he has so long made his home.

Mr. Blake's marriage to Charity Coburn, a native daughter of California, occurred in 1877, and they have been blessed with four children, as follows: Henry, who married Jennie Brown, has one child and lives in Los Angeles : Herbert and Norman, both at home ; and Grace, who is the wife of S. J. Stanfield. Mrs. Blake passed away in 1894, when only thirty-four years of age. Mr. Blake is a Dem- ocrat politically and is an active participant in matters of public interest.

CHESTER W. CURTIS. A wide-awake business man, thoroughly posted on financial mat- ters, and fully acquainted with the most up-to- date banking methods, Chester W. Curtis, cash- ier of the First National Bank of Colton, is highly esteemed for his worth and integrity. The Curtis family is one which has been identi- fied with New England history and development for many generations, and it was in August, 1857, that Chester W. was born in Stratford, Conn., that state being also the native home of his father, William T. Curtis. When news of the discovery of gold in California reached the Atlantic seaboard the elder Curtis became desir- ous of entering the race for wealth, and accord- ingly in 1849 came via Cape Horn to the Pacific coast and engaged in mining operations for a few years. He was only fairly successful, how- ever, and upon returning to Connecticut he en- gaged in the mercantile business until 1891. In that year he returned to the west and perma- nently located in Riverside, where he has lived retired from active business ever since.

After acquiring his education in the East- hampton ( Mass.) schools Chester W. Curtis was occupied as a merchant until 1889, when he came to California and entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railway Company, filling

positions in various departments until 1902, when he resigned to become bookkeeper in the First National Bank of Colton, and remained at that post until 1905, when he was elected cash- ier, the position which he now fills with credit to himself and the officials of the bank. He is a member of several prominent fraternal orders, among them being the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks; Ashlar Lodge No. 306, F. and A. M .; and Colton Lodge No. 137, K. of P.

JOSEPH STEPHEN STRAWSER. Own- ing and conducting one of the largest steam laundries in Southern California, Joseph Stephen Strawser, of the Santa Fe Laundry in San Ber- nardino, is known as one of the most successful and enterprising business men and progressive citizens of this municipality. He was born Sep- tember 13, 1873, in Danville, Ill., the son of Abraham and Martha ( Bainbridge) Strawser, both natives of Illinois, in which state the death of the mother occurred. The father was a mem- ber of an old Pennsylvania family, and in for- mer years he was a farmer. In 1886 he removed to California, later went to Colorado, but finally returned to this state, and is now a grocery mer- chant in Los Angeles. Three of his five children are now living, as follows: Lewis, associated with him in the Los Angeles business; Burt, president of the Troy Laundry in Los Angeles ; and Joseph Stephen, engaged in the laundry business in San Bernardino. The latter, the youngest member of the family, attended the public schools until twelve years of age, when it became necessary for him to provide for his own support.

It was in 1886 that Mr. Strawser first came to California, locating in Corona, which was then just being laid out and the building started. Later he returned to Illinois and was occupied for a time as a sign painter and decorator, sub- sequently engaging in railroad work as fireman on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois. From there he went to Greeley, Colo., remaining one year, and in 1895 was once more in California. After spending a short time in mine prospecting he . entered the employ of the San Bernardino Steam Laundry for the purpose of learning the busi- ness in all its details. He soon worked himself up to the foremanship of the plant, and in Feb- ruary, 1903, he and Mr. Miller leased the Santa Fe Laundry, the company which owned it hav- ing been organized in 1901. A year later Miller & Strawser purchased the plant, which they en- larged to more than double its old capacity, mak- ing the building 60x100 feet, erected barns for oil tanks, installed modern machinery, new boil- ers and engines, electric irons, etc. The large business handled by the Santa Fe Laundry ex-

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tends over Riverside and San Bernardino coun- ties and even into Arizona. Mr. Strawser is president and general manager of the firm and Mr. Miller is treasurer.

The marriage of Mr. Strawser, which oc- curred in San Bernardino, united him with Miss Winnie L. Clems, a native of that city and a daughter of Joseph Clems, who was of English birth and a prominent pioneer in this county. One child, Helen, was born of this union. In fraternal circles Mr. Strawser holds a prominent place, being a member and past grand of Token Lodge No. 290, I. O. O. F., also belonging to Morse Encampment, of which he is past chief patriarch; a member of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, and of the Woodmen of the World. His wife belongs to the Rebekahs. Mr. Strawser is a member of the Southern Cali- fornia Laundrymen's Association, and of the San Bernardino Board of Trade, and politically he is a Republican.

THOMAS H. CARROLL. Various of the public residences that give a substantial appear- ance to the architecture of Oxnard are the result of the skill and efficiency of Thomas H. Carroll, who for a number of years has devoted his atten- tion to the building business and has taken con- tracts for the erection of structures of every kind. Though not one of the earliest residents of Oxnard, he has been identified with the develop- ment of the town since his arrival in June of 1901.and has been engaged in contracting since August of 1903, meanwhile establishing a reputa- tion for reliable workmanship. Among the con- tracts which he has filled may be mentioned those for the Roman Catholic Church and parsonage, the Knights of Columbus building, the Living- ston hospital and various residences that are models of tastefulness and comfort.

The Carroll family is of English ancestry. Capt. Richard Carroll, who was born in Liver- pool, England, followed the sea throughout all of his active life, first sailing out from England, but later making his home in Nova Scotia, where he died. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Alice Dolhentry, was born in Nova Scotia and died there. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, but only four are now living. The only one to settle in California was Thomas H., who was fifth among the nine children, and was born in Antigonish county, Nova Scotia, November 28, 1852. After having received a fair education in the common schools he apprenticed himself to the carpenter's trade at the age of fourteen years, and by diligent application he gained a practical knowledge of the occupation in all of its details. Going to Newfoundland, he secured employment in the Betscove mines and remained

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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 128

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