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 136

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

USA > California > 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 136

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ARTHUR G. WOODMAN. Among the prominent contractors and builders located in Avalon, on Catalina Island, is Arthur G. Woodman, who has been a resident of this place since 1902. He is a native of Nova Scotia, having been born in Digby, February 22, 1867, the son of John C. and grandson of Robert Woodman, both of whom were born in the same location. The immigrating an- cestor of the family, came from England in an early day and settled in New England, the family belonging to what was known as the United Empire Loyalists. The grandfather was a large landowner in Nova Scotia, and the father was by occupation a builder, his death occurring in Nova Scotia. The mother of Mr. Woodman was before her marriage Mary Ann Rice, born in Digby, Nova Scotia, the daugh- ter of Samtiel Rice, a native of the same place. Her family was also an old established one, of French extraction, and her death occurred in the same province in which she was born.

Three of the four children born in the fam- ily of which Arthur G. Woodman was a mem- ber are now living. He was the youngest child and was reared in Nova Scotia until twelve years of age, when his parents removed to Massachusetts, where the son received his education in the public schools. In his six- teenth year he returned to Nova Scotia and clerked in a grocery store for a year, after which he began to learn the carpenter's trade. After completing his apprenticeship he went to East Douglass, Mass., plying his trade there for a time, later becoming an independ- ent contractor and builder. Changing his lo- cation he was occupied for two years in the woodwork department of the Draper Manu-

1986

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

facturing Company in Hopedale, Mass. In I90I he came to California, locating first in Los Angeles and in the spring of 1902 re- moved to Catalina. After following his trade for a time, he branched out as a contractor and builder, and is now the most extensive con- tractor in Avalon. He has an attractive resi- dence on Whitley avenue, presided over by his wife, who was before her marriage Viola Bridges, a native of East Douglass, Mass. They have one daughter, Lydia Lolita. Mrs. Woodman is a finely educated woman and a graduate nurse from the Worcester (Mass.) City Hospital. As an enterprising business man and a public-spirited citizen Mr. Wood- man is held in the highest esteem by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.

HOWARD MILTON TODD. There have been but few places even in this enterprising section of California where greater interest has been taken in real estate dealings than in Ocean Park during the past few years, where the sales and transfers of realty have been numerous and notably large. One of the most active men en- gaged in this remunerative business is Howard Milton Todd, a citizen of prominence. A son of Joshua Todd, he was born and reared in How- ard county, Mo. His father was born in Mary- land, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and after his mar- riage with Margaret Jeffrey, who was of Ger- man descent, he immigrated to Missouri, settling in Howard county, where both he and his wife spent their remaining years.

Next to the youngest of a family of six chil- dren, Howard Milton Todd acquired a practical education in the public schools of New Franklin, Mo. While yet a young lad he became inter- csted in the stock business, joining his oldest brother, Theodore H. Todd, S. B. Tinsley and B. E. Nance when he was but fifteen years old. Possessing an almost intuitive knowledge of the business, and showing such keen. shrewd judg- ment, he was very soon entrusted with the buy- ing of cattle and hogs, and before attaining his majority was a well-known figure in several counties. Beginning for himself at the age of twenty-two years, he was very fortunate as a stock buyer and dealer, handling cattle and hogs by the train loads and building up an extensive business. Selling out in 1900, he came with his family to California, locating on a ranch near Sherman, where he resided for a while. Subse- quently disposing of his farming interests at an advantage, he opened a real estate office at Ocean Park, where he has since heen numbered among the influential residents of the place. He suc- ceeded well in his new line of occupation. and since his association with his present partners,

B. T. Allyn and R. B. Yaple, has carried on a substantial business, with office at No. 180 Pier avenue. He takes great interest in local affairs, is a member of the Fraternal Brotherhood, and in his political affiliations is a loyal Democrat.

In 1875 Mr. Todd married, in Franklin, Mo., Mary Hanson, and into the household thus es- tablished nine children have been born, namely : Cecil (deceased), Roberta, Howard M., Grover Cleveland, Benjamin W., Margaret J., Louise M., Percy E. and Clifton H.

SAMUEL R. MCCREERY. At the time of purchase in 1886 the McCreery ranch of eighty acres, one and a quarter miles south of the city limits of Los Angeles, at the corner of Ver- mont and Florence avenues, was a barley field, for which was paid $50 per acre. This same property was sold in 1906 for $135,000. Mr. McCreery has purchased property in Los An- geles, where he intends to make his home.

Born in Pecatonica, Winnebago county, Ill., March 30, 1858, Samuel R. McCreery is a son of Rufus K. and Mary (Bull) McCreery, the former a native of Maryland. In his native state as well as in Illinois, to which state he subsequently removed, the father carried on ag- ricultural pursuits, but finally the desire to come west and try his luck in the mines became too strong to be withstood any longer, and hither he came, working in the mines in and around La Porte, Plumas county, for about ten years. When he had become fairly established he sent for his wife, who followed him to the west in 1862, when her son Samuel was a child of four years. (A more complete account of the parental family will be found in the sketch of Rufus K. McCreery, which appears elsewhere in this volume.)

Until he was old enough to be of use to his father on the home ranch Samuel R. McCreery attended the public schools of Los Angeles, later becoming his father's assistant in improving the ranch. The combined efforts of father and son as general ranchers and dairymen netted a substantial income, and in fact made them finan- cially independent. When he was thirty-seven years old the son formed domestic ties and there- after, until selling the property in 1906, made his home on a part of the tract he and his father had cultivated together for so many years. While to some extent he carried on general ranching, his specialty was the raising of alfalfa, of which he cut from six to seven crops per season.

Mr. McCreery's marriage, September 4, 1895, united him with Miss Anna Taggart. who though a native of Belfast, Ireland, has been a resident of the United States almost her entire

1987

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

life, having come to this country with her par- ents when a very small child. Mrs. McCreery's brother, Fred Taggart, was librarian in the Me- chanics' Pavilion in San Francisco. Two chil- dren have been born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McCreery, Maurice Elliott and Walter King, who are the pride of their parents, and are being carefully trained for future citizen- ship. Mrs. McCreery is a member of the Epis- copal Church, which her husband also attends, and toward the support of which he contributes. Politically he is a Republican, and while he takes a helpful interest in the party's well-being, this is not to be understood as seeking office, for at no time has he had any desire for public life. The only fraternal order with which he is con- nected is the Independent Order of Foresters, affiliating with the lodge at Los Angeles.

ROBERT L. BEARDSLEY. The possibil- ities of achievement on the part of industrious application and intelligent energy find exempli- fication in the life of Robert L. Beardsley and his twin brother, Richard, young men who by their own efforts have gained a foothold in ag- ricultural affairs in Ventura county and are rec- ognized as enterprising farmers. While they are yet on the sunny side of life's prime, al- ready they have gained gratifying success, and their farm of six hundred acres is one of the most carefully tilled in the vicinity of Oxnard. One-half of the entire tract is under cultivation to lima beans, and the other half is in barley, the income from the two crops forming a val- table addition to the financial standing of the young men each year. Those who are most familiar with their work testify as to their en- ergy, uprightness and intelligent cultivation of their land, while at the same time they occupy a distinct position in the best society of the county.

The Beardsley family is of eastern stock. At an early age George Beardsley, father of the brothers, removed from his native Ohio to Wis- consin and settled upon a farm. Prior to his removal he had served as a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, enlisting in 1862 as a private in Company E, Seventh Ohio Infantry. With his regiment he marched to the front and took part in vari- ous battles of historic importance. While he was wounded in battle, the injuries were of an unimportant nature, and at the close of his time of service he returned to resume agricultural pursuits at the old homestead. After thirteen years in Wisconsin he came to California in 1887 and settled at Santa Paula, but for some years past he has been an inmate of the Soldiers' Home at Sawtelle, this state, while his wife is living

in Salt Lake City. Their sons, Robert and Richard, were born in Pepin county, Wis., Octo- ber 28, 1875, and were about twelve years of age when the family removed to California, where they attended the Hueneme schools. Lat- er Richard also had the advantage of one term of study in Woodbury College at Los Angeles. After leaving school they began to work by the month ón ranches and meanwhile acquired a thorough knowledge of the soil and its needs and possibilities.

The first independent undertaking entered upon by the brothers occurred in 1898, when they began to farm in Pleasant valley, and in 1900 they removed to their present ranch near Oxnard. The ranch-house is under the capable supervision of Mrs. Robert Beardsley, who prior to her marriage in June, 1902, bore the name of Vesta Richardson, being a member of a well known family of the coast country. Surround- ing the dwelling are the other buildings neces- sary for the proper management of farm af- fairs, while all of the improvements made by the brothers are of a substantial character. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church and contribute to religious, educational and mis- sionary measures to the extent of their ability. In fraternal relations Robert holds membership with the blue lodge and chapter of Masonry at Oxnard and is a stanch believer in the principles of the brotherhood and philanthropy for which the order stands. In 1906 Richard Beardsley married Miss Clara Durr, of Oxnard.

NILS ANDERSON. The sons of Sweden are vigorous, energetic and enterprising, and those whose ambitions lead them to seek the larger opportunities to be found in the United States rarely fail to make a success of their undertakings. Nils Anderson, who has been a resident of California for twenty years, is now ranching twelve hundred acres of land in Perris, all but eighty acres of which is devoted to the raising of barley for hay, which commodity he ships to Los Angeles and sells at a good price, the remaining eighty acres being planted to oats. He has all modern machinery necessary to the conduct of this large ranch, among which is a header. There are also two warehouses on the place, one being 60x100 feet, the other 50x76, and in these are stored the hay which he buys and afterwards markets.

The birth of Mr. Anderson occurred June 14. 1867, in Lund, located in the southern part of Sweden, of which country both his parents were natives. Long life is the rule among the people who live in this northern country, where the climate demands vigor and hardihood of its in- habitants, and the father was eighty-five years

1988

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

old at the tinie of his death, in January, 1905, his wife also dying in Sweden at the age of eighty-seven years. Mr. Anderson received a good common-school education in his native country, and at the age of seventeen years was apprenticed to a carpenter and mastered that trade. In 1884 he came to the United States, locating first in Wright county, Iowa, where he followed carpentering for two years, in 1886 re- moving to California and locating in Riverside, where he became a contractor and builder and erected a great many residences. He purchased his ranch in Perris valley in 1890, and now owns one hundred and fifty acres of land. He built all of the improvements now on this place, in- cluding the house, barns, store houses, etc., and for the succeeding ten years carried on a com- bined business of ranching and contracting. In 1900 he gave up the latter and has since then given all of his time and energy to the manage- ment of the large ranch which he now operates.

In August, 1889, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage with Miss Tillie Dolhberg, who was born in Sweden, and of this union three children have been born, Nellie, Malinda and Edith. Fra- ternally Mr. Anderson is affiliated with the Woodmen of the World at Riverside and the F. O. E. at the same place. He is an advocate of the principles embraced in the Democratic party, and is especially interested in school mat- ters, having served for three years as trustee of the Snyder district. He is a supporter of the Congregational Church and lends his influence to the furthering of all elevating and upbuilding enterprises, and is held in the greatest esteem by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.

EARL F. VAN LUVEN. For a decade and a half the name of Earl F. Van Luven has been associated with the fruit industry in and around Colton, whither he came about 1888. At that time he invested in property which has since in- creased in value, and he is now the owner of one of the oldest groves in the celebrated Col- ton Terrace. During the sixteen years in which he has engaged in the packing and shipping of citrus fruits he has handled thousands of car- loads of oranges and lemons, chiefly through his association with the Southern California Fruit Exchange and the California Fruit Grow- ers Exchange, of which he is a director, and the San Bernardino County Fruit Exchange, of the latter being secretary and manager. He has been connected with the above enterprises ever since their organization, and in 1893, upon the organi- zation of the Colton Fruit Exchange, became one of its charter members. From the year of or- ganization until 1902 he held the position of secretary, but was then compelled to resign ow-

ing to the pressure of other obligations. How- ever, he is still vice-president and a member of the board of directors, among whom he is con- sidered an authority on all subjects connected with the fruit industry.

Mr. Van Luven is a Canadian by birth, and was born in the province of Ontario January 13, 1861. After receiving an education in the com- mon schools and commercial colleges of Canada, he came to the United States in 1888, having in the meantime gained an excellent insight into business methods from his father, Zara Van Luven, a successful merchant. In Colton, in 1891, Mr. Van Luven was married to Miss Helen Edith Shepardson, a daughter of J. B. Shepardson, who is a well-known banker of Iowa, but who' spends his winters in Colton. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Van Luven has been brightened by the birth of two children, both sons, Jed S. and Donald Earl.

REV. FR. JOHN PUJOL, rector of Santa Clara Catholic Church at Oxnard, is one of the best loved and most venerated men in the whole community, where he has been ministering to the spiritual necessities of his parishioners for more than twenty years. He was born Novem- ber 2, 1844, at Moya, Catalonia, Spain, being a member of an old and prominent family there, and the youngest of nine children. He was edu- cated in the primary schools of his home town, and in Latin at the College of Pious School at Mova. His medical and theological training was secured in the seminary at Vick, and in Febru- ary, 1871, he left Spain for Ireland, where for five months he attended All Hallows College in Dublin, and then crossed the seas and landed in Los Angeles, September 8, 1871.

In 1872 he was ordained to the various of- fices of the church, receiving the minor orders March 17, 1872; was made subdeacon June 23 ; deacon, June 24; and priest, June 29, all in the same year, and by the Rt. Rev. Fadeus Amat. He said his first mass July 2, 1872, and was made as- sistant at the Santa Barbara parish, where he re- mained until 1877. From there he was sent to San Diego, where he performed duties as assist- ant pastor until 1881, and June I of that year as- sumed duties as assistant to the rector of Our Lady of Angels Church in Los Angeles. Febru- ary 1, 1885, he was given full charge of the par- ish at New Jerusalem, as the village of El Rio was then called, and thus became rector of Santa Clara Church, which position he still occupies. This church was at first conducted as a mission and its communicants were served by a supply from San Buena Ventura from the time when the first mass was celebrated in October, 1877, until 1885, when Rev. Fr. John took charge of it as

1989

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

its first resident pastor. During this time he served the Missions of Santa Paula, Lancaster and Camulos and built the church at the former place. With commendable zeal and energy he went to work to add to his flock and strengthen every department of the church interests, and in 1895 it became apparent that the little church building which had been in use so long was quite inadequate to accommodate the ever-increasing number of worshippers and more commodious quarters became a necessity. The original church was then enlarged and remodeled and was used until 1903. In 1898 Father John expressed a need of assistance in his now exceedingly heavy duties, and Fr. J. S. Laubacher was appointed as his assistant.

When the town of Oxnard was established so near to El Rio it was at once apparent that this would become the center of population, and it soon became necessary to build a school there. Before the erection of this school mass had been celebrated for over a year, twice a month, in Pioneer hall, but after the completion of the school building the large hall on the first floor served as a church. The congregation soon out- grew these quarters, however, and it was decided that a new church must be built. The parishion- ers generously responded to the urgent appeal for funds, and in a few weeks' time over $30,000 were subscribed. This was in 1903, and in Au- gust the ground was broken and on September 27 the cornerstone was laid. On the 14th of Au- gust, 1904, the new edifice was solemnly dedi- cated to the service of God under the patronage of St. Clare. The growth of the small parish at El Rio (which is still served by Rev. Father Pu- jol) into the magnificent parish at Oxnard is in large measure the result of the faithful and ener- getic work of the rector, and upon the occasion of the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniver- sary of his pastorate at El Rio a large congrega- tion attended the high mass to honor their be- loved priest with their presence.

PETER GANO. The visitor in Avalon will immediately find his attention attracted to the beautiful residence of Peter Gano, which is called Lookout Cot and is situated on one of the most prominent points on Santa Catalina island, over- looking the ocean, bay and mainland. It is an ideal site for a home, and standing out on an eminence as it does, looks like an old castle. A large circular lookout built above the third story of the house is twenty-two feet in diam- eter and one hundred feet above sea level, and from this tower the view is unlimited and very beautiful.

The Gano family is of French Huguenot ex- traction, the original name having been spelled

Gerneaux. Soon after the revocation of the edict of Nantes, which deprived the Huguenots of their liberties, the first member of the family to come to America settled in Rhode Island and the names of several of the Ganos may be found in the roster of the patriot army at the time of the Revolutionary war. The great-grandparents of Peter Gano lived to be very old, passing by several years the century mark, the great-grand- father dying at the age of one hundred and nine years, and his wife was but three years younger. Peter Gano was born December 1I, 1839, in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, the son of W. G. W. and Nancy (Willis) Gano, the first-named a native of New Jersey and the latter of Virginia. The father was a business man and banker in Cincinnati and died in that city at the age of seventy-two years, the death of the mother also occurring at that place. There were fourteen children in the fam- ily, six of whom are now living. One son, J. W., served as an adjutant in the Seventy-sixth Regi- ment of Ohio Volunteers during the Civil war and now resides in Cincinnati.

The education of Peter Gano was acquired in the public schools of Cincinnati and when nine- teen years old he learned the machinist's trade in the Cincinnati locomotive works of Moore & Richardson and pursued that occupation for a time. At twenty-five he entered the office of the civil engineer of the city of Cincinnati, hav- ing previously taken a course of instruction in that profession. Later he followed railroad work, engaging in bridge building and sewer work. in 1869 removing to St. Paul, where for five years he continued the prosecution of civil en- gineering.

The residence of Mr. Gano in California dates from 1880, when he came to Pasadena, and pur- chasing two hundred acres of land at Altadena, started a ranch. Seeing at once the necessity of securing water for irrigation purposes he as- sisted in the organization of the Los Flores Water Company, and superintended to its suc- cessful completion the tunneling, fluming and piping necessary to bring the water from Los Flores canyon. Twenty-six acres of the land were devoted to a vineyard and a small orchard was also planted. In 1886 he disposed of the ranch and took up his residence in Pasadena. It was the year previous, in 1885, that he first became interested in Avalon, there being at that time no settlement or wharf on the island. The first work on the foundation of his present resi- (lence there was begun in 1888 and two years later found the house completed and ready for occupancy. At first it was used only a part of the year, but for some time past he has made it a permanent abiding place. Mr. Gano is a man of scholarly attainments and high principles and is greatly respected by all who know him. In

1990

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

politics he exercises considerable independence, preferring to cast his ballot for the man whom he believes will best fulfill the duties of an office rather than vote for him because of party affilia- tions.

AL LARSON. In San Pedro, a thriving seaport, we find many energetic, thorough-going business men who have attained success through their own tact, good judgment and persistency. Prominent among this number is Al Larson, a man of artistic and mechanical ability, who is carrying on a substantial business as a builder of boats of all kinds. A native of Sweden, he was born December 9, 1874, in Mariestad, where his father, Olof Larson, was engaged in farming during his active life.

The youngest of a family of nine children, Al Larson received a practical common school edu- cation, remaining in his native country until about sixteen years old. Coming to California in 1890, he attended school for a short time in San Francisco, where he subsequently served an apprenticeship at the trade of a boat builder, for twelve years working the yards of George Kneass. In January, 1903, he located in San Pedro, and for two years thereafter was in the employ of H. E. Carse, being foreman of his yards. Resigning his position in January, 1905, he embarked in business for himself as a boat builder, and in his operations has been very suc- cessful.

Mr. Larson is artistic in his tastes, has a very true eye, and draws all of the designs for the different kinds of boats which he makes. Since starting for himself he has built the noted launch Eagle, two launches for Captain Duffy, and a number of fishing boats, his work in this line keeping him busily employed. Politically Mr. Larson is a Republican, and religiously he is a Lutheran.

RICHARD WEIR. Since 1887 Richard Weir has been a prominent architect and builder in San Bernardino to which place he came from his native home in London, Ontario, where thus far his life had been spent. He was born at that place July 17, 1854, the son of John and Jane Ann (Talbott) Weir. The father, who was born in Connaught, Ireland, was brought to Canada by his father, Samuel Weir, a native of Armagh, Ireland, who settled there in 1810. Later his wife and five children were sent for and the sail- ing vessel on which they took passage had a most unfortunate voyage, being lost in a storm and so disabled that it drifted for three weeks. during which time the oldest son died and was buried at sea. Settling in London township

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 136

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