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 132

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

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L. C. EATON. Located in San Jacinto, L. C. Eaton owns a fine twenty-acre ranch, culti- vates one hundred acres of land, and has three hundred acres in pasture. He has seventy head of cattle and milks about twenty cows, delivering cream to the San Jacinto creamery, and receiv- ing a good income from the produce. A first- class pumping plant has recently been installed on his ranch, he has planted twelve acres to al- falfa and is making many other improvements on his holding, which is now one of the desir- able properties in this section. Mr. Eaton was born May 20, 1856, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Henry and Melissa (Lohr) Eaton, the for- mer a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. The parents came to California in 1876 and located at Fulton Wells. One of Mr. Eaton's brothers, Isaac Eaton, had a long mili- tary career, having fought in the Civil war, and earlier in the Mexican war, in the last named conflict being with General Scott at the capture of the city of Mexico. Isaac Eaton was a resi- dent of Iowa, and there he died in 1901. Henry Eaton's death occurred April 17, 1895, in Pasa- dena, at the age of seventy-two years. His wife is still living in that city.

In his boyhood L. C. Eaton attended the pub- lic schools of Iowa City, finishing his studies with one year in the academy at that place. He

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removed to California with his parents and for the first nine years of his residence here was a farmer near Los Nietos. Subsequently lie en- gaged in the livery business in Lamanda Park, later in Pasadena, and in 1895 removed to Hemet. For three years he was foreman on the Maple Leaf ranch and finally purchased the ranch on which he has since resided near San Jacinto.

The marriage of Mr. Eaton occurred on June 30, 1890, in Fullerton, Mary L. Hudson, a na- tive of this state, becoming his wife. Her father, Thomas W. Hudson, is a ranchman near San Jacinto, where he owns twenty acres of land de- voted to the raising of alfalfa, grain, potatoes and some fruits, the crops being irrigated with water purchased from the San Jacinto Water Company. Mr. Hudson was born September 23, 1828, the son of John H. and Mary Page (Wilson) Hudson, both of whom were natives of Virginia. The mother's father came from England on a sailing vessel in 1800 and was for nine months out of sight of land, the boat having been driven out of her course in a storm. The Hudsons were for many generations natives of Virginia and the grandfather fought in the war of 1812. John H. Hudson was originally a farmer in Virginia, and later in 1833, removed to Jackson county, Mo., where he took up a section of land upon which he engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits ; he died in 1848, at the age of forty-six years. His wife survived him many years, she being seventy-eight at the time of her death. It was the fortune of Thomas W. Hudson to receive a very good education, his first schooling being secured at a subscription school in Jackson county, Mo., later taking a course at Chapel Hill College. In 1849 he took a trip to Dallas, Tex., and upon his return to Missouri formed a partnership with Jacob G. Heald in the purchase of a horsepower mill, and together they engaged in the manufacture of lumber. Mr. Hudson finally bought out his partner and conducted the business alone for a time.

In 1852 Mr. Hudson fitted up an outfit and in the spring of that year started on a trip across the plains to California, coming via Salt Lake and Beckwith Pass. Traveling with ox-teams his progress was necessarily slow and five months' were consumed in the journey. He lo- cated first at Healdsburg (which town was named for a brother of his former partner in the sawmill), purchased one hundred acres of land, and engaged in the raising of grain until 1881. In the meantime, in 1871, Mr. Hudson had returned to Missouri to visit his mother, and on the journey passed many of the scenes of his old camping grounds. During his life in Healdsburg he was active in public affairs and

attained considerable prominence. For many years he was a member of the school board, and in 1869 was honored with an election to the leg- islature on the Democratic ticket. He served one term, and it was during his tenure of office that the fifteenth amendment to the constitution was adopted, he being one of the members who voted against it.

In the fall of 1881 Mr. Hudson came to Southern California and located on a grain ranch of six hundred and forty acres, twenty miles from the city to Los Angeles. He con- tinued to operate this place for five years, then spent two years in Anaheim, in 1890 coming to the San Jacinto valley and purchasing the ranch upon which he now resides. It was at that time an unimproved place, covered with sage brush, and when one remembers this it is hardly possi- ble to believe that in so short a time it could be converted into the finely improved home it 110w is. By his marriage, June 5, 1851, he was united with Martha E. Shaw, a native of Har- per's Ferry, Va., and they became the parents of seven children. They are: David W., now of New Mexico; Henry H., engaged in the livery business on San Pedro street, Los Angeles ; George R., traveling agent for the Diamond Coal Company of Los Angeles ; Emma, the wife of J. P. Kirby, of San Jacinto; William T., op- crating a threshing machine in Salano county; Edmund R., traveling agent for Brownstern & Co., of Los Angeles : and Mary L., the wife of L. C. Eaton. Mrs. Hudson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Fraternally Mr. Hudson was made a Mason in Healdsburg in 1871, and is now a member of the San Jacinto Lodge. He is now a trustee of the Hemet union high school, and was at one time president of the board. He has also been a director of the San Jacinto and Pleasant Valley irrigation dis- triet.

Two children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Eaton, Madge and Thomas. Mr. Eaton is a member of San Jacinto Camp, No. 100, W. O. W., and his wife belongs to Lodge No. 486, Women of Woodcraft. Politically Mr. Eaton is an advocate of the principles embraced in the platform of the Republican party. He is a progressive citizen, possesses many admirable personal qualities, and is held in the highest es- teem in the San Jacinto valley.

HENRY W. OLD. Generations of association with the mining districts of Cornwall, England, caused to be inbred into the Old family the traits of industry, perseverance and uncomplaining for- titude characteristic of the people whose lives were devoted to work in those mines. Eventu- ally James Old. after years of struggle to main-

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tain his family through his labors in the mines, decided to seek a home in the new world, where better opportunities were offered to poor men. When the necessary means had been saved for the payment of traveling expenses he and his family left the associations of former years, crossed the ocean to the United States and set- tled on a farm near Elizabeth, Jo Daviess county, Ill., where in the midst of surroundings widely different from those of their old home they earned a livelihood from the tilling of the soil. Prior to their removal from Cornwall the wife and mother, Elizabeth (Williams) Old, had died at the old homestead, and of the family of four sons and three daughters, only one son and one daughter now survive.

The eldest of the family was Henry W. Old, who was born in Cornwall, October 5, 1834, and died in Ventura county, Cal., June 2, 1889, when little more than fifty-four years of age. While a boy he learned the occupation of mining in Cornwall and after he came to the United States he worked in Illinois mines for a time, after which he found employment in the copper mines of Michigan. During 1863 he came via Panama to California and engaged in mining at Coppero- polis, Calaveras county, but the next year he re- moved to the mines of Grass valley, where he readily found employment at fair wages. In company with a brother-in-law, Richard Cox, he came to Southern California in July of 1869, and selected the Santa Clara valley, in Ventura coun- ty, as a desirable location for a home, after which he returned for his family and settled here per- manently in September of the same year. The first purchase which he made comprised one hun- dred and sixty acres in the Oceanview district and later he acquired another quarter-section, thus giving him a ranch of three hundred and. twenty acres, situated four miles southeast of Ox- nard in the heart of a rich farming territory.

While living in Wisconsin Mr. Old was mar- ried at Dodgeville, that state, in 1856, his wife being Miss Keturah, daughter of George and Mary (Thomas) Cox, and a native of Devon- shire, England. For some years Mr. Cox oper- ated a smelter in Devonshire, but during middle life he brought his family to the United States and settled in Wisconsin, where he had charge of a smelter at Dodgeville, and remained in that city until his death. His wife was born, reared and married in London, and died in Wisconsin. Four children were born of their union, namely : Richard, who died in Ventura county in 1900; Mrs. Arthur, who died at Auburn, Cal .; Mary, who died in Wisconsin ; and Keturah. Mrs. Old, who was the youngest of the four children and was born in 1838. In early years she accompa- nied her parents across the ocean and settled in Wisconsin, where she grew to womanhood be-

neath the parental roof. For many years she has been a resident of Ventura county. On leaving the farm in 1892 she established her home in Hueneme, but in July of 1902 came to Oxnard and erected the attractive residence she now owns and occupies. Besides the home place, she and her children own the old home farm of three hundred and twenty acres, which is devoted prin- cipally to beans and beets, and has been brought under irrigation by means of an artesian well. The property is very valuable, not only by reason of its improvements, but also on account of its remarkable fertility of soil.

Throughout all of his active life Mr. Old gave earnest support to the Presbyterian Church and was a member of that denomination, to which Mrs. Old also belongs. In fraternal relations he was connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while politically he voted the Republi- can ticket, never, however, taking a prominent or active part in public affairs or local politics. Surviving him are his wife and their five chil- dren, named as follows: James, who has charge of the home farm; George, now living in Berke- ley; Elizabeth, who resides with her mother in Oxnard; Eliza, who married Burt Wilson, of Oxnard; and Edith, wife of Ira J. Oswell, secre- tary of the Patterson Ranch Company, owners of a large ranch in this vicinity.

HEINRICH MAULHARDT. The thrift for which the German nationality is noted is no- where better illustrated than in the life and achievements of Heinrich Maulhardt. When he took possession of the ranch on which he now lives in 1888 there was nothing in its appearance to commend the serious attention of anyone looking for a future home, but with keen fore- sight Mr. Maulhardt realized its possibilities under proper conditions and forthwith began its improvement. The ranch comprises three hun- dred and thirty acres, all of which is in lima beans with the exception of thirty acres in beets. The close proximity of the ranch to Oxnard is also an important feature and greatly facilitates the disposition of his produce.

A native of Hanover, Germany, Heinrich Maulhardt was born October 24, 1856, a son of John and Magdalena (Smalstich) Maulhardt, al- so natives of the Fatherland, and there also they passed their entire lives, the father dying in 1881, at the age of seventy years, and the mother in 1876, when in her sixty-fourth year. When his school days were over Heinrich Maulhardt prepared to fulfill the requirements of his native land in regard to learning a trade, and when he was fourteen apprenticed himself to a man to learn slate roofing. As he lived in a country where this method of roofing was used almost

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entirely there was considerable demand for com- petent roofers, and he had no difficulty in secur- ing employment, and followed his trade there continuously up to the year 1883, which was the date of his immigration to the United States. Landing at the Golden Gate, he took passage on a boat at San Francisco bound for Ventura, for five years thereafter working by the month on ranches throughout the county. This experience gave him an excellent opportunity to learn and appreciate the value of land and its location, all of which knowledge was brought to bear in the selection of his present ranch in Ventura county.

January 10, 1888, was the date of the mar- riage of Heinrich Maulhardt and Augusta Wucherpfennig, the latter being a half-sister of John Sholle, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this volume. All of the six chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Maulhardt are living and are named in order of birth as follows: Gustave, Anna, Ida, Hugo, Bertha, and Alfred, ranging in age from nineteen to nine years (1906). On May 10, 1906, Mr. Maulhardt, his wife and two youngest children took a trip to Europe, visiting different parts of Germany, and returning home August 20 of the same year. The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic Church at Oxnard.

JAMES A. COLE. Among those who braved the dangers and hardships of a trip across the plains in the latter '50s was James A. Cole, September 23, 1859, witnessing his settlement in San Bernardino county, when this section of the state was little more than a barren wild- erness. From that time until his death in 1888, at the age of fifty-seven years, he followed ranching continuously. His high principles of honor and probity were exemplified in his daily living, with the result that he was respected by all who knew him. Public-spirited and pro- gressive, he was always in favor of measures which tended toward the advancement of his community.

Mr. Cole was born March 8, 1831, in Butler county, Ohio, his education being received in Butler county, Iowa, whither he removed with his parents when a boy. In that state also he was married in 1852 to Miss Mary E. Kelly, who was born in Quincy, Ill., her father later removing to Chicago, where he was engaged in carpentering and contract work. Six chil- dren were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cole. John Albert, deceased, married Hen- rietta Waters, who lives in San Bernardino; James C. married Abby Davies, and also re- sides in that city ; Henry married Mary Curtis ; Arthur Edgar married Mina Dell; Joseph M. married May Cram, and lives near his mother ;

and Walter D. is an attorney in San Francisco.

Mr. Cole was an advocate of the principles of the Republican party and was reared in the Episcopal Church. During his residence in the state he accumulated extensive property hold- ings and at one time owned 160 acres adjacent to what is now Loma Linda, also an eighteen- acre orange grove at the home place near Red- lands. Mrs. Cole has resided in San Ber- nardino county on the same place since 1860. She is a woman of superior talents and intel- ligence and is noted for her liberality and benevolence.

JULES CALLENS. A place among the rep- resentative ranchers of Ventura county has been won by Jules Callens, whose association with the agricultural interests of this section has resulted in a personal success and necessarily has added to the prestige of this community as a bean and beet growing locality, in which business he is engaged. Mr. Callens is not a native of this country, but being a lad of only ten years at the time of the immigration of his parents he is practically a Californian and gives to his adopted state a stanch loyalty. His father, August Cal- lens, a native of Mynde, Belgium, was a farmer throughout his entire life, after locating in Cali- fornia in 1888 engaging in agricultural pursuits in the vicinity of Hueneme, Ventura county, for two years or until his death. He is survived by his wife, formerly Leona Martens, a native of Besseham, Belgium. Some time after her hus- band's death she purchased a farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres in the Ocean View district, where she is now located, the large property be- ing devoted to general farming and the raising of stock. She is the mother of five sons and one daughter: Jules, the eldest; Udoxie, wife of Remie de Yunge, of this vicinity; Remie and Rena, conducting the home ranch; and Joseph and Albert, in France.

Born July 8, 1878, in Mynde, Belgium, Jules Callens received the greater part of his educa- tion in the public schools of Ocean View, this being supplemented by a commercial course in the Ventura Business College, where he grad- uated in 1896. Until attaining his majority he remained on the paternal farm, four days later. on the 12th of July, 1899, marrying Miss Emma Trick, a native of St. Paul, Minn. Her father. Theo Trick, a native of Germany, emigrated to the United States and located in St. Paul, where for the ensuing twenty years he engaged in contracting and building. With his wife, for- merly Minnie Neubawer, he is still a resident of that city. Mr. Callens' first home after his mar- riage was on a farm which he rented from his mother; industry and application enabled him

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to acquire means to purchase property, and af- ter one year spent on the Eddings ranch he lo- cated upon his present place, a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres six miles southeast of Oxnard, and has since made this his home. His entire property is given over to the cultivation of beans and beets, which bring him large finan- cial returns each season. He has improved his ranch and takes pride in keeping it up to a high standard. He merits the position he holds as a rancher of this section, because won by his own efforts and held by the strong purpose of his life to do well whatever he undertakes.

Mr. and Mrs. Callens are the parents of three children, namely: Leonia Mary; Minnie Mar- garet (called Florence by her father) ; and Ar- thur W. A. Politically he adheres to the prin- ciples advocated in the platform of the Repub- lican party, and although he is occupied to a large extent with his private affairs, still finds time to take an interest in the movements of this organization. Personally he is a popular man, carrying within a well-built, sturdy frame a whole-souled, genuine manhood which wins for him the friendship of those about him, whose constant association with him has taught them to look for the reliable citizenship which he has always manifested.

ELIJAH HARRISON PIERCE. For more than half a century Elijah Harrison Pierce, of Ethanac, has been identified with the history of California, having served in official capacities at various points, and in those days of lawlessness when personal and property rights were placed in jeopardy hy a reckless and criminal element he became a member of the San Francisco United Defenders of Public Safety, or the Vigil- ance Committee, as it was popularly called, and helped to save the reputation of that section of the state and make it a safe place in which to live. He is a native of New York, having been born in Jefferson county, in July, 1831. His father, Jonathan Pierce, removed with his family to Wisconsin in 1838, in which state both parents died.

In 1850, after securing a common school edu- cation, Mr. Pierce left Wisconsin and crossed the plains to California, starting April 8, and arriving at his destination in Eldorado county the first day of September. For about six years he engaged in mining on the American and Feather rivers, then located in Plumas county, where he filled the office of deputy sheriff for three years, and later was elected to the office of sheriff, discharging the duties of the latter position four years, between 1860 and 1864. Two years later he removed to Santa Barbara and the following twenty years was occupied as

a farmer and fruit-grower in that locality. Dur- ing this time he was supervisor of Santa Bar- bara county for three years, giving him oppor- tunity to again demonstrate his efficiency and good judgment in official capacity. In 1886 he came to Perris valley, filed on a homestead, and has since made the place his home. He later added one hundred and sixty acres of land to his holding, his ranch now comprising three hun- dred and twenty acres. He began as farmer and stock-raiser, gradually working himself into the dairy business, and now has about twenty-five full-blood Holstein cows. He has a separator 011 the place and ships the cream from his dairy to San Jacinto, receiving a good price for the product.

Mr. Pierce was first married in Plumas county in 1858, Elizabeth Sharp becoming his wife. Two children were born of this union: William, now residing in Kansas City, Mo., and Mary Ann, deceased. The mother's death occurred in Santa Barbara county. His second marriage took place in 1885 in Santa Barbara county, unit- ing him with Mary Colby, and she also became the mother of two children: Florence, the wife of Herbert Crooks, of San Fernando; and Mat- tie, the wife of Frank T. Hollenbeck, of San Diego. Mr. Pierce has served on the school board of Perris valley for many years, and in other ways has proven his interest in the elevat- ing and upbuilding enterprises of the commu- nity, which is fortunate in naming him among its citizens.

J. E. COUNTS. The association of J. E. Counts with the real-estate interests of. Long Beach dates from March, 1902, the time of his location in this city. he now being actively iden- tified with the Counts Realty Company and Sec- retary of the Stearns-Counts Investment Com- pany, and many other corporations that have done much toward the upbuilding of this city. Of southern lineage, he was born in Granbury, Tex., October 13, 1871, and in childhood was taken by his parents to Erath and Eastland counties, receiving his education in the public schools. Until he was sixteen years old he re- mained on the paternal ranch, and then engaged as clerk in a mercantile business in Ranger, Tex .. later entering the employ of the Texas Paci- fic Railway. at Ranger and Thurber junction, where he remained for five years, and during this time became actively identified with the in- terests of the Democratic party, whose principles he espoused. He filled acceptably the position of deputy county clerk for one term of two years, in Eastland county. and was also prominent in other affairs. Following this he located in Ari- zona and in Globe engaged in mining and pros-

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pecting. but on account of his health finally came to California. This climate proved so benefi- cial to him that he soon fully recovered, after which he decided to locate permanently in Long Beach. For a time he worked in a real-estate office, after which he became interested with Frank W. Stearns, with whom he incorporated the Stearns-Counts Investment Company. Thev succeeded in establishing an extensive business, which proved an important factor in the upbuild- ing of Long Beach and surrounding country. August 1, 1905, this company dissolved partner- ship, Mr. Counts, however, retaining the sec- retaryship until the affairs of the firm shall have been closed. In the organization of the Long Beach Home Land and Water Company he was also a prominent factor.

The home of Mr. Counts at No. 627 Elm street, is presided over by his wife, formerly Willie Shel- ton, with whom he was united in marriage in Texas, of which state she was a native. They are the parents of two children, Carroll and Gerald. Mr. Counts has become prominent in public affairs in Long Beach and takes a keen interest in the promotion of all movements cal- culated to advance the general welfare of the community, giving time and means freely in his efforts. Hc is a member of the Cosmopolitan Club and Board of Trade, and supports all churches and charities. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of Long Beach Lodge No. 327, F. & A. M., Long Beach Chapter No. 84, R. A. M., and Long Beach Commandery No. 40, K. T., and with his wife is identified with the Eastern Star. He also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Ranger, Texas, and Fraternal Brotherhood of Long Beach. Politically he gives his support to the men whom he considers best qualified for public office.

JOSEPH SAILER. Upon the establish- ment of the plant of the American Beet Sugar Company at Oxnard a number of their most valued workers at Chino were transferred to the new factory, among these trusted employes be- ing Joseph Sailer, who from the first has occu- pied the responsible position of chief engineer of the Oxnard factory. Mr. Sailer is of Aus- trian birth and ancestry and was born in the village of Prutz, Tyrol, January 10, 1867, being a son of Carl and Catherine (Traxsailer) Sail- er, natives of the same locality. For many gen- erations the family had lived within the shadow of the Tyrolese Alps in a region famous the world over for the magnificence of its scenery and the rugged sublimity of its mountains. From the male representatives of one generation to those of the next was handed down the secret of

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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 132

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