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 130

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

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It was in 1888 that Mr. Nestell made his first trip to California, coming here on business for the insurance company, and from that time on made the state yearly visits. He was in the Lake Lobish accident on the Southern Pacific when the trestles five miles north of Salem, Ore., gave way and the train fell through, kill- ing or maiming for life every other passenger in the car, although Mr. Nestell was fortunate enough to escape without injury. For nearly twenty years he has been interested in raisin growing near Fresno, where in 1888 he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of raw land located seven miles west of the city, near the Kearney vineyard, and had it planted to Muscat, Sultanas and Thompson's seedless varieties of the raisin grape, which are now producing large crops yearly, Mr. Nestell still retaining his ownership of the land. He has also large property interests in Los Angeles. Five years ago he began operations on Catalina Island and owns and has improved many prop- erties there since that time. He owns the Pa- cific hotel, has built numerous first-class resi- dences of the apartment class on Sumner ave- nue, and is the proprietor of Campus Virginia, an attractive tent village, modern in all of its appointments and strictly up-to-date. All of his improvements are of the highest class, for he believes in making Avalon a place that can compete with any of the eastern resorts, no matter how extensively they may be improved. He holds an interest in the Meteor Glass Bot- tom Boat Company also.

Fraternally Mr. Nestell was made a Mason in Bunting Lodge No. 655, A. F. and A. M., in New York City: is a member of Sylvan Chapter No. 48. R. A. M., in New York; and of the Constantine Commandery, K. T .. of New York ; is an honorary member of Nestell Lodge

No. 37, F. and A. M., at Providence, R. I., which was named for his uncle, Christian M. Nestell. Politically he votes the Republican ticket in national affairs, but exercises con- siderable independence in local public matters. Religiously he affiliates with the Congrega- tional denomination, being a member of Pil- grim Church in New York City. When living in New York he was for twelve years manager of the Fire Patrol Committee of that city, and also a prominent member of committees of the Board of Fire Underwriters.

Mr. Nestell's marriage, which united him with Emma E. Ball, a member of an old New York family, occurred in New York City, and they have become the parents of three children, all of whom live in the country's metropolis : Isabelle is the wife of Warren A. Leonard; Ed- ward Victor is a broker; and Raymond Jay is a chemist in New York City. Although the greater part of his time is necessarily devoted to the management of his widely extended busi- ness interests Mr. Nestell does not neglect his duties as a leading citizen and is actively in- terested in all matters of public import, lend- ing his time and influence to the furthering of every upbuilding and progressive enterprise. He is a man of high principles, broad and lib- eral views and is held in the highest esteem and respect by hosts of friends and acquaintances throughout the United States.

W. HORACE AUSTIN. Since September, 1894, W. Horace Austin has been a resident of Long Beach, where he has acquired a success in his line of builder and contractor. He is a native of Kansas, his birth having occurred March II, 1871, in Abilene, Dickinson county, from which place his father, Dr. W. H. Austin. removed to Long Beach, where he is now living retired from the active cares of life. He re- ceived a preliminary education in the public schools and academy of Abilene, and for two vears attended St. John's Military School at Salina, Kans. After his location in Long Beach, where his parents removed on account of their health, he attended the public schools of this place. At the age of fourteen years he was apprenticed to learn the trade of carpenter and for the ensuing seven years remained in the em- ploy of one man. He became thoroughly profi- cient in every department of the work and upon the departure for England of Mr. Green, he be- gan the business on his own responsibility in partnership with W. T. Barton. From Decem- her, 1902, they continued together for one year, when Mr. Austin succeeded to the business in Long Beach, where he has since carried on the work. With his work as a journeyman he also

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took up architectural drawing and later a com- plete course through the medium of the Inter- national Correspondence School. He began on a small scale and as his means permitted en- larged his operations until he is now employing on an average twenty men a year. A small part of his work has been the erection of the resi- dences of Charles Heartwell, Mrs. Carpenter, F. E. Shaw, W. B. Julian, L. Jakes, T. A. Stev- ens, Miss I. A. Kimball, the Bank of Commerce building, the flat of R. W. Martin, and R. H. Martin, and many others of equal note. He is self made in the best sense implied by the term, and while he is winning his way to the front among the business men of the place he is also gaining an enviable position as a man of integ- rity, energy and business ability.

Mr. Austin's home is in Long Beach, where he has invested his means in considerable unim- proved property, a manifestation of his faith in the future of this section. He maintains an office at the corner of Fourth and Chestnut streets and looks after his business with ability and energy. He is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of Long Beach Lodge No. 327. F. & A. M .; Long Beach Chapter No. 88, R. A. M .; and Commandery No. 40, K. T .: while he is also identified with Long Beach Lodge No. 888, B. P. O. E., and with the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is broad and gives his support to the men whom he considers best qualified for public duty.

JOHN AERICK. The genealogy of the Ae- rick family is traced to Sweden and the first of the name in America was John, Sr., a native of the capital city of Stockholm, but from the age of nine years a resident of the United States. After making the long journey from his home land in company with his sisters he settled in Illinois and hired out to a farmer, working for board and clothes. Among strangers in a strange land, far from his kindred and uncheered by the sight of any of his relatives, he yet was buoyed up by the optimism of youth and the possession of a hopeful spirit. When news came of the discovery of gold in California he, having no ties to bind him to the locality of his resi- dence, at once made plans to cross the plains, and in the spring of 1849 started with a party of emigrants traveling with oxen and wagons. On arriving at his destination he took up min- ing, but the work did not prove profitable and he soon turned his attention to freighting, in which he was interested for a number of years.

During the '6os John Aerick, Sr., became a pioneer of Los Angeles county and secured one hundred and sixty acres of land lying at the west end of Vernon avenuc, Los Angeles, but

later it developed that the land was a portion of the Sanchez grant, and he therefore lost it. Next he purchased one hundred and twenty acres adjoining the other property, six miles from the Los Angeles court-house and just out- side of the present city limits, and this tract is now owned by his widow, Elizabeth (Hunter ) Aerick, who resides on West Thirty-seventh street between Normandie and Western avenues. Ere yet old age had brought its attendant in- firmities, Mr. Aerick passed away April 5, 1895, leaving considerable property and a reputation for honor, integrity and irreproachable charac- ter. Mrs. Aerick was born in Los Angeles and was the daughter of Jesse Hunter, a pioneer of California and a stockman in this locality for a long period.

In a family of eight children, all but one of whom still survive, John Aerick, Jr., was the eldest son and the second child, and was born April 6, 1872, at the homestead beyond the lim- its of Vernon avenue, in the city of Los An- geles. Primarily educated in the public school. he was later a student in the Baptist College of Los Angeles and the Woodbury Business Col- lege. After leaving school he secured employ- ment on the Baldwin ranch, where for six years he had charge of the cattle. On the death of his father he returned home and for two years managed the farm in the interests of the heirs. Coming to Inglewood in 1897, he has since made his home in this locality and now owns two and one-half acres in the town, which property he has improved with a neat residence. Ever since living here he has rented land from Dan Free- man and now operates four hundred acres, de- voted to the raising of barley and corn, and to the pasturage of stock, his specialty being mules. Movements for the benefit of his town receive his stanch support, as shown by his connection with various important enterprises. He is a stockholder in the First State Bank and the Citizens' Home Water Company of Inglewood and in addition acts as secretary of the latter concern.

The marriage of Mr. Aerick took place in Los Angeles December 23, 1897, and united him with Miss Lulu Dosta, a native of that city. Her parents, Mitchell and Barbara ( Jones) Dosta. were natives respectively of Germany and Norway, and came to America in childhood, the latter in company with her mother. After cross- ing the plains to California Mr. Dosta engaged in mining, but soon removed to Los Angeles county and bought a farm of eighty acres, es- tablishing his home on what is now South Ver- mont near Vernon avenue. On that place his death occurred when he was sixty-seven years of age, and his wife passed away in January. 1905, aged sixty years. Of their five children

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four are living, namely: Mrs. Josephine Rus- sell, of Manhattan Beach; Lillie, of Inglewood ; Charles, who is engaged in engineering in Mex- ico; and Mrs. Lulu Aerick, the youngest of the family. The latter is prominently connected with the Women of Woodcraft and officiates as banker of the local lodge, while Mr. Aerick is an officer in the lodges of the Woodmen of the World and the Independent Order of Foresters. Politically he votes with the Republican party and gives his influence to its candidates. The Inglewood Commercial Club numbers him among its members, and his energetic encour- agement is given to this organization, as well as to all movements for the upbuilding of the town and the development of its business inter- ests.

HENRY H. HARRIS. Possessing large business ability, thie recipient of a good educa- tion and superior training, Henry H. Harris is well fitted to take a leading position in the life of the community in which he resides. An ex- tensive and successful ranchman, he farms five hundred acres of fertile land near Elsinore, which he devotes to the raising of grain, hay, cattle and hogs, shipping about two carloads of stock each year. On July 29, 1855, he was born in La Grange, Wis., the son of Henry H. and Jane M. (Ward) Harris, both natives of New York and who died in Wisconsin, the father in Madison in 1858, and the mother in Milton in 1874. The senior Harris was one of the first merchants of Milwaukce, and later removed to Madison, Wis., where he was engaged in the buying of grain. After completing a high- school course in Whitehall, Wis., the son en- gaged in farming until 1885. after which he went to Janesville and conducted an implement business, handling farm machinery, buggies, etc. In 1897 he disposed of this business and came to California, locating in Orange county, near Fullerton, where he bought a twenty-acre orange ranch and lived until June 14. 1902. On this date he came to Elsinore and bought two hundred and fifteen acres of land which is em- braced in the ranch upon which he now resides with his family.

In 1884, in Milton, Wis., occurred the marriage of Henry H. Harris, uniting him with Miss Sophia Walker, a daughter of William Walker, a Presbyterian minister of that city. Two chil- dren have blessed this union, Harry H. being married and making his home with his parents : and Walker W., also residing under the parental roof. Politically Mr. Harris is an advocate of the principles embraced in the platform of the Republican party, and fraternally is a member of Janesville Lodge No. 14. I. O. O. F. He

was elected a trustee of Elsinore high school in 1904 and is president of the board at the pres- ent time. He is a man of many fine personal qualities and a public-spirited citizen and is held in the highest esteem by all who know him.

ARTHUR BRIDGE STEEL. Back through several generations the Steel family has fur- nished surgeons both to the army and navy of England, and among these few were more prominent than R. Steel, M. D .. for years an army surgeon, also a member of the Royal Col- lege of Surgeons. Among the children of this army surgeon was a son, Dr. R. J. Steel, a grad- tate of Oxford University, who was connected with the Royal College of Surgeons as an in- fluential member and practiced his profession in London until he died. For a wife he chose Emma Bridge, daughter of a horticulturist in Kent, where she was born and educated; her death occurred in 1898 in London. Of their marriage two sons were born, the elder of whom, F. W., continues to reside in London. The younger, Arthur Bridge, was born in Cam- bridge. England, in 1869, and received his edu- cation at Malmesbury College, East Dulwich. London, graduating in 1883 in belles lettres, and at the same time taking a course in engineering. For three years he was employed as clerk in a wholesale fancy goods importing house, after which, in 1886, he came to the United States and settled in California. Horticulture occupied his attention for the first two years of his so- journ on the Pacific coast. Later he was em- ployed in the track department of the Southern Pacific Railroad at Riverside. Horseshoe Bend, San Onofre in San Diego county, Redondo and other places, filling the position of foreman until he resigned in 1899. During the latter year he purchased from G. J. Lindsay a planing mill on Beryl and Dominguez streets. Redondo, and continued business at that point until October I, 1905, when he bought a block of ground on Pacific avenue and erected a new planing mill.

With his brother-in-law, A. A. McGuffie, as a partner under the name of the Redondo Plan- ing Mill Company, Mr. Steel carries on an in- creasing business in his line. The equipment of his mill is the best and most modern. Power is furnished by a one hundred horse-power steam engine. At one time he operated a barley roll- ing mill in connection with the planing mill, but these two industries are now separated, the Re- condo Milling Company being organized in 1905. They have erected warehouses with a sixty thousand sack capacity and the barley mill is run in connection with the same. Besides his business holdings he owns residence property. including his homestead on Catalina avenue.

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While living at Santa Ana he married Florence B. McGuffie, who was born and reared in Los Angeles. Four daughters have been born of their union, Ethel E., Hazel A., Mabel B. and Viola B. Politically Mr. Steel is a firm Repub- lican and in every respect loyal to the highest interests of his adopted country. In the spring of 1904 he was elected a member of the town board of trustees, where now he renders capable service on the auditing and street and lighting committees. Fraternally he has varied connec- tions, including membership in the Independent Order of Foresters, in which he served as chief ranger for three terms. Some years ago he was made a Mason in Evergreen Lodge, F. & A. M., at Riverside, and is now affiliated with Redondo Lodge No. 328, F. & A. M., of which he is past master. In addition he holds membership with the Royal Arch Chapter at San Pedro and with the Order of the Eastern Star, in which latter body he is past patron, while his wife has held the office of matron.

EDWARD S. ABBOTT. As head of the firm of Abbott & Anderson, wholesale and retail meat dealers, Edward S. Abbott is intimately identified with the mercantile interests of San Pedro, doing his full share in promoting its business prosperity. Enterprising, liberal-mind- ed and of undoubted integrity, he merits and re- ceives the warmest confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens, being well liked and popular throughout the community. A native of Iowa, he was born November 12, 1875, in Hopkinton, Delaware county. On another page of this work, in the sketch of his father, O. C. Abbott, a brief history of his parents and ancestors may be found.

His parents removing to Colorado when he was a boy, Edward S. Abbott was there edu- cated in the public schools, living in that state until 1890, when the family settled at San Pedro, Cal. At once entering the employ of Mr. Piltz, he learned the trade of a butcher under his in- struction, after which he worked five years for J. L. Griffin. In 1901 he bought out his em- ployer, becoming senior member of the firm of Abbott & Erickson, and for four years ran the San Pedro market, carrying on a successful business. Selling his interests in the company to his partner in the spring of 1905, Mr. Abbott spent a few months in traveling, visiting many of the more important points of interest in the northwest. Returning to San Pedro, he formed a partnership with Mr. Anderson, and on Octo- ber 1, 1905, opened the Bay City meat market, which is finely equipped, having a new refriger- ator of large capacity, electric lights, and all of the appointments and improvements necessary in

an up-to-date market. He is located at No. 114 Sixth street, where he and his partner are rap- idly building up an extensive business, their patronage being large and lucrative.

Mr. Abbott is an able and skilful business man and a member of the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce. Politically he is a Republican, and fraternally he belongs to San Pedro Lodge No. 332, F. & A. M .; and to the Benevolent, Pro- tective Order of Elks. He is also an exempt member of the San Pedro Firemen's Company, which he formerly served as foreman and secre- tary.

JAMES P. HANSEN. Holding an honored position among the industrious and prosperous citizens of Inglewood, Los Angeles county, is James P. Hansen, widely and favorably known as one of the leading blacksmiths of this vicinity. He is in all respects a self made man, having begun life a poor boy entirely without capital, and having by sturdy toil and able management accumulated an easy competency. A native of Germany, he was born January 9, 1873, in Sleswick-Holstein, near Scarbeck, which was also the birthplace of his parents, Andreas and Maren (Schmidt) Hansen. His father, who was a sailor, and one of the officers of the ship, was drowned at sea in 1877, and his mother died during the very same month, unaware of the death of her husband. Of their five children, three survive, James P., the special subject of this sketch, being the second in order of birth of those now living.

Left an orphan at the age of four years, James P. Hansen spent his early life in his native town, attending the public schools until fourteen years old. Coming to California in 1887, he arrived in San Francisco early in the season, and for two years thereafter worked on a fruit ranch in Haywards. The next two years he was simi- larly employed at Mayfield, in Santa Clara county. Being a natural mechanic, and desirous of making use of his talent in that line, he served an apprenticeship of a year at the blacksmith's trade in Mayfield. In 1892 he located in River- side county, and six months later came to Ingle- wood, establishing himself on the ranch of D. Freeman, for whom he worked at his trade five years. Starting in business on his own account in 1897, he bought a lot in Inglewood and erected his present blacksmith's shop. His business increasing with surprising rapidity, he has since made noteworthy improvements, hav- ing now one of the most modern, up-to-date establishments of the kind in this locality, and as a general blacksmith and horseshoer has no rival, his work being noted for its excellence and dura-

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bility. He has a finely equipped machine shop, including a lever, an emery stand and a band saw. In his smithy he keeps two fires going, and has a large trip hammer. His plant is like- wise furnished with a gasoline engine, with which he runs his machinery. Thrifty and a wise manager, he has accumulated considerable property, and in addition to owning five city lots he has erected a fine residence in Inglewood.

In Inglewood, January 26, 1898, Mr. Hansen married Octavia Gallateau, who was born in Michigan, of French ancestry, and they have one child, Myrtle Hansen. Politically Mr. Han- sen is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and fraternally he is a mem- ber and the treasurer of the Independent Order of Foresters, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Religiously he belongs to the Lutheran Church.

THOMAS M. HILL. "The days of old, the days of gold, the days of forty-nine," is to the ordinary mind the beginning of the history of California, so far as native-born Americans are concerned; but when one harks back to the twenties of the nineteenth century, a generation before the forty-niner's time, it takes us into the romantic days when those who lived on the large grants of land, surrounded by servants without number almost, lived like feudal lords. The grandfather of the subject of this review, Daniel Hill, was born in Massachusetts, crossed the continent in the early twenties, when emi- grants were obliged to travel through hundreds of miles of Indian-infested wilderness, across seemingly endless plains, over trailless mount- ains, and through burning deserts before reach- ing the civilized spots marked by the Spanish missions. Daniel Hill located in Santa Bar,- bara county near Goleta, and became owner of the La Patera grant and engaged in farming and stock-raising, as did most of those people who owned the large ranches. He married Ra- fella Ortega, a member of one of the old fami- lies whose name is familiar in the history of Spanish days.

The father of Thomas Hill was one of the youngest of their thirteen children, all of whom were raised on the ranch at Goleta. John Hill, the father of Thomas, was born here in 1834, and was among the first white native sons of California. He died when Thomas was but two years of age, from injuries received in an acci- dent. The mother, too, was a native Cali- fornian, her father. James Burke, having emi- grated from Ireland to Santa Barbara, where Maria Burke, the mother, was born. She is one of those interesting old settlers who still reside in Santa Barbara. There were but two chil-

dren, and Thomas is the only one now living. He was born in 1864, on the 7th of March, at the old Hill ranch near Goleta, but was raised in Santa Barbara, where he received a public- school education only. When still a boy he went to work on a farm and when grown to manhood engaged in ranching at Goleta, which occupation he followed until the ranch was sold, when for several years he was in the employ of Mrs. W. R. Broome of Santa Barbara, super- intending her ranch of twenty-five thousand acres, known as the Guadalasca ranch, and lo- cated in Ventura county east of Hueneme. When Oxnard was laid out he removed to this location, being one of the first dozen families to settle here. He bought a livery barn and es- tablished the first livery of the town of Oxnard and after conducting it for three years, sold out and engaged in the real estate and insur- ance business. In this occupation, too, he was a pioneer, for his firm was the oldest in the city. He was associated with Mr. Peile, the company being styled Peile & Hill, with offices in Los Angeles and Oxnard. This partnership continued until December 20, 1905, when it was dissolved, retaining the Oxnard office, having formed a partnership with Mr. Laubacher. Un- der the title of Hill & Laubacher, the firm have conducted an insurance business with flattering success and now represent forty old-line com- panies.

Mr. Hill was married in Santa Barbara to Miss Elizabeth Maginnis, who was born in Ire- land, but was reared in Santa Barbara. They have a residence in Oxnard, and own as well other valuable property in this city. He is a member of the Santa Clara Roman Catholic Church, and a charter member of the Knights of Columbus. Politically he has always been a loyal Republican and has done his share of active work in the party. . He was a member of the first board of trustees of Oxnard, and was the father of the first ordinance passed in Oxnard. but the press of other business obliged him to resign before his term expired. Mr. Hill has al- ways been a prominent and progressive citi- zen of whatever community he has called home and a commendable interest in the business, so- cial and political life of his locality has been an invariable characteristic of the man.

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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 130

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