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 137

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

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Samuel Weir remained there the balance of his lifetime. One of his sons, Robert, removed to Whitehall, Muskegon county, Mich., became a large and successful lumber manufacturer, and continued to reside there until his death; Alex and John died in Ontario. The mother of Rich- ard Weir was a daughter of Col. William Tal- bott, who was an officer in the British army and served on the Canadian frontier and in the Lake country until his retirement from the army, af- ter which he became a large land owner near London, in which city there is a Talbott street, which was named for him. Mr. Weir's father was seventy-nine years old at the time of his death in February, 1883, while his mother lived to be eighty-five years old, and died in London in 1898. Of their ten children eight are living, Richard being the only one who resides in Cali- fornia.

Reared on his father's farm in London, Rich- ard Weir attended the common schools until twelve years of age, when he was apprenticed to a carpenter to learn the trade. The first year he received $40, the second $60, and the third year $100 for his services. After the expiration of the term of his apprenticeship he engaged in farming on his father's place and at the same time took contracts to erect buildings in the neighborhood, meeting with very good success. On December 28, 1882, he was married to Miss Sarah Jane Heck, a native of Kingston, Ontario, and the daughter of John Wesley Heck, who was born at the same place and engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. The Heck family is of Ger- man origin, this branch being descendants of Rev. Paul and Barbara Heck, the noted Metho- dist family. Rev. Mr. Heck was one of the first ministers in this country and established the first church, and traveled through Pennsylvania to Canada. Mr. Heck now resides in San Ber- nardino, his wife having died in Ontario. Mr. and Mrs. Weir have a very attractive residence at No. 1560 Birch street, where they reside with their family of four children. The oldest son, Herbert H., is a graduate of the high school and now holds the position of bookkeeper in the San Bernardino National Bank; Emma Edna is a graduate of the high school : Helen J. belongs to the class of 1907: and John Wesley completes the family. Mrs. Weir is a member of the Con- gregational Church.

It was in 1887 that Mr. Weir located with his family in San Bernardino and entered the employ . of the old Southern California Railroad, now the Santa Fe, being connected with the building and bridge department. He continued with this company for eight years, and during that time suffered several strokes of misfortune. The sec- ond year of his residence in San Bernardino his house with its contents was burned and later

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he was the victim of an accident which disabled him for four months. While engaged as fore- man of a gang of men occupied in unloading old railroad ties to be used for fence posts along the track he fell from a moving car and was crushed between the bumper and drawhead, mashing his bones and breaking them at four places. After his recovery from his injuries he engaged exclusively in contracting and build- ing and has ever since been thus employed. Among other houses which he has erected are the Smith and Dr. Rowell residences in San Bernardino, C. B. Morris and C. B. Fuller resi- dences in Colton, and the C. F. Kelly residence in Loma Linda. Fraternally Mr. Weir affiliates with the Independent Order of Foresters, having passed the chairs of the lodge in San Bernar- dino. He is an active member of the Mt. Ver- non Improvement Association and served as its first secretary upon its organization several years ago. He is also one of the stockholders in the Canadian Building and Improvement Associa- tion, which built the Canadian club house on Mt. Vernon avenue at a cost of $2,000. He drew the plans for the house, and was the second presi- dent of the association, his son Herbert now fill- ing that office. Although his life is largely tak- en up with business duties he still finds time to aid in the upbuilding of the community in which he resides and is accounted one of its most im- portant citizens.

THE COLTON FRUIT EXCHANGE. With a membership of about fifty the Colton Fruit Exchange was organized in 1892 for the purpose of packing and shipping their own fruit at actual cost. It now has a membership of about one hundred and twenty-five and controls sev- enty-five per cent of the oranges around Colton. The corporation is controlled by a board of nine directors, elected annually, the directors electing their own officers. At this writing, 1906, the board consists of the following-named gentle- men : James Barnhill, Earl Van Luven, W. W. Wilcox, E. D. Roberts. Wade Purdum, L. C. Newcomer, T. E. Moon, W. S. Bullis and J. B. Hanna. The president of the organization is James Barnhill, Earl Van Luven vice-president, First National Bank of Colton treasurer, E. B. Wilkerson secretary and W. F. Sharp man- ager.

The headquarters of the Exchange are in the old pavilion, which was originally erected for the State Fair, but is now owned by the Ex- change, and affords a floor space covering two hundred square feet, in fact is the largest build- ing used for a similar purpose anywhere in Southern California. The most modern and complete equipment for this special line of busi-

ness has been installed in the plant, which in- sures the careful handling of fruit, indeed, with the many modern appliances now in use the fruit is handled very little. From the orchard boxes it is dumped into a canvas receiver and rolled or lifted carefully from one process to an- other, until it is finally laid in the shipping boxes. The packing house has a capacity for shipping from eight to ten cars per day. Three brands of oranges are packed and shipped by the Exchange, named in order of their superiority as follows: Tiger, Floral, and Rancho.

The growers associated with the Colton Fruit Exchange receive all money over and above the actual cost of packing and selling their product, there being no profits paid to anyone. This Ex- change is affiliated with the San Bernardino County Fruit Exchange.

PIERRE POURROY. It was in 1898 that Pierre Pourroy came to Riverside county and purchased the nucleus of his present ranch of six hundred and forty acres near Auld, which is mostly in grain crops, and yields him a fine in- come. His birth occurred January 3, 1862, in Hautes-Alpes, France, he being the son of John and Rosa ( Pourroy) Pourroy, both of French birth. The father came to California in 1886, remaining until 1888, when he returned to his native land, where his death occurred in April. 1899, at the age of eiglity-two years. The mother died at the age of forty-two years, when the son Pierre was but two years of age. While he ultimately acquired a considerable amount of learning, the opportunities for securing an edu- cation in youth were limited, and at nineteen, in 1880, Pierre Pourroy came to Los Angeles county, Cal., and spent the first eighteen months of his residence in this country in Azusa, herd- ing sheep upon the land now embraced in the city of Long Beach. From Azusa he went to Temecula, Riverside county, remaining for a time, and subsequently located near the state line between California and Nevada, where for sixteen years he was employed as a shepherd. Returning to Riverside county in 1898 he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in the Los Alamos valley, improving it and adding to his holdings from time to time, until now he owns a ranch comprising six hundred and forty acres.

April 14, 1899, in Reno, Nev., Mr. Pourroy was united in marriage with Mary (Jaussaud) Nicolas, a native of the same part of France as is her husband. She is the daughter of Fred- erick and Mary (Martin) Jaussaud, both of whom were born in France, the father dying there in 1898, at the age of seventy-two years; the mother still makes her home in her native

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land, being in her seventy-first year. · Mrs. Pour- roy became the mother of three children by her first marriage, their names being Edmee, John and Marius Nicolas. Mr. and Mrs. Pourroy are also the parents of three children, Bertha, Frederick and Pierre. They are devout mem- bers of the Catholic Church and their influence upon the community in which they live is an elevating one. Fraternally Mr. Pourroy became a member of the Masonic order in Vallee de France Lodge No. 329, F. & A. M., in Los An- geles. He is a man who possesses many ad- mirable qualities and fulfils creditably his duties as a citizen and is held in the highest esteem by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.

HARMAN JEFFERSON MAYO. Con- spicuous among the younger generation of active and progressive agriculturists of Southern Cali- fornia is Harman Jefferson Mayo, who is suc- cessfully engaged in general farming and dairy- ing near Compton. Industrious and thrifty, he has made improvements of value on his estate, and in his chosen occupation is meeting with satisfactory results, year by year adding to his wealth, at the same time growing rapidly into the esteem and respect of his neighbors, and win- ning an assured position among the valuable members of the community. He is a native and to the manner born, his birth having occurred, June 17, 1880, in Compton, a son of Henry J. Mayo, a well-known pioneer of this part of Los Angeles county.

A native of Missouri, Henry J. Mayo was born, in 1848, in Ridgely, Platte county, where he grew to manhood, receiving exceptionally good ed- ucational advantages. Coming to California in 1872, he settled in Compton, where he became a citizen of prominence and influence, serving many years as deputy assessor, and being deputy road commissioner a number of terms. He was active in fraternal organizations, being a member of Anchor Lodge No. 273, F. & A. M., and of Campton Lodge, I. O. O. F. He married Augus- ta Higgins, who was born in Oregon, a daugh- ter of Harman Higgins, a native of Missouri, and into their household four sons and one daugh- ter were born. Politically he belonged to the Democratic party, and both he and his wife were members of the Christian Church.

Educated in Compton, Harman J. Mayo com- pleted the course of the grammar and attended the high schools for a short time. Choosing the free and independent occupation to which he was trained in his youthful days he worked for four years on the home ranch, obtaining prac- tical experience in the many branches of agri- culture. Purchasing then his present ranch he has since been actively employed in farming and

dairying, keeping about thirty cows, and rais- ing alfalfa in large quantities. Prosperity has smiled upon his every effort, and now, although yet a young man, he occupies a fine position among the most thrifty and successful ranchmen of his community.

January 1, 1903, Mr. Mayo married Mary W. Taylor, daughter of John L. Taylor, a native of Kentucky, and they have one son Lewis Har- man. Politically Mr. Mayo is an adherent of the Democratic party, supporting its principles at the polls. Fraternaily he was made a Mason in the winter of 1901, joining Anchor Lodge No. 273, F. & A. M., which he has served two terms as mas- ter ; is a charter member of Long Beach Chapter, R. A. M., has represented his lodge at the Grand Lodge; and Los Angeles Consistory Scottish Rite; and belongs also to the Independent Order of Foresters. Mrs. Mayo is a most estimable woman, and a valued member of the Christian Church.

GEORGE HINMAN. A skilful and capable agriculturist, and a man of enterprise and intel- ligence, George Hinman is closely associated with the industrial interests of Los Angeles county, his well-cultivated and well-appointed ranch, located near Clearwater, evincing in a marked degree the thrift, ability and wise man- agement of the owner. A native of New York state, he was born February 16, 1845, a son of Enoch F. and Pamelia (Ingersoll) Hinman, the former of whom was born in Massachusetts, and the latter in New York state.

Spending the first few years of his life in his native town, George Hinman there obtained his rudimentary education. Subsequently remov- ing with his parents to Illinois, he received ex- ceptionally good advantages, being graduated from the State Normal school at Normal, Il1. Well fitted for the position of a teacher. he sub- sequently followed that profession successfully for a number of years, being employed in Illinois five years, in Colorado one year, and in Ohio one year. Turning his attention then to the pur- suit of agriculture, he farmed for a time in Ohio, then moved to Illinois, where he tilled the soil six years. Going thence to Nebraska, he bought a farm, which he managed for two years. Up- on selling his landed possessions he came direct to Los Angeles county, locating on Pico Heights, where he remained for awhile, doing odd jobs of any kind while looking about for a per- manent place of settlement. Subsequently buying twenty acres of land near Clearwater, he has since been actively and profitably employed in general ranching and chicken-raising. Dur- ing his residence here he has diligently improved his property. continually adding to its value, his

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ranch, with its substantial buildings and good appointments, giving ample evidence of his skill and good taste as a practical farmer and rural householder.

Mr. Hinman's first marriage, which occurred in Ohio in 1871, united him with Electa Wright, who was born in Ohio, the daughter of Frank Wright, he being a native of New York. Mrs. Electa Hinman died in 1874, leaving one son, Clayton Hinman, M. D., a practicing physician in Chicago, Ill. Mr. Hinman married for his second wife, in 1878, Helen Barlow, who was born and educated in Indiana. Politically Mr. Hinman is a Prohibitionist, and religiously he is in sympathy with the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He takes great interest in local affairs, being specially interested in educa- tional matters, and has served as school director.

WILLIAM USREY. Early in the nineteenth century Philip Usrey, Jr., the son of a hero of the two wars with England, removed from Ten- nessee to Indiana and became a pioneer of Sul- livan county, where his son, James Kelly Usrey, was born and reared. After having followed the carpenter's trade in Indiana for some years, the latter removed to Kansas and cultivated a farm in Cherokee county, eventually removing to California and in the spring of 1887 settling at Redondo, where he now lives in retirement. His wife, Mary Ann Griffin, was born in In- diana, and died at Redondo. Descended from old Virginian stock, she was a daughter of Col. Richard Griffin, a farmer in Tennessee and a pioneer of Indiana, who won his title through service as an officer in the war of 1812.

The family of James K. and Mary Ann Usrey consisted of ten children, nine of whom attained mature years and still survive, namely: Sarah Catherine, Mrs. B. F. Arnold, of Columbus, Cherokee county, Kans .; William, of Redondo; Philip, of Redondo; Hattie, who married Elihu O. Hathaway, and lives in Redondo; Nancy, wife of Owen Gorham, of Moneta; Lillie, Mrs. Alfred B. Herring, of Redondo; Henry, man- ager of the wharf at Redondo; Sylvester, living in Los Angeles; and Ollie, who married George Greer and makes Los Angeles her home. The second among these children, William, was born in Sullivan county, Ind., September 3, 1857, and received a fair education in public schools. Ac- companying the family to Kansas in 1872, he remained with his parents until twenty-two years of age and then took up independent farming, which he followed for a considerable period. On coming to Redondo in 1887 he was employed by the company in a survey of the town, and later had other business connections in the town until 1904. At this writing he owns mining in-

terests at Searchlight, Nev., where he owns three-eights of the stock of the San Pedro Min- ing Company, also owns several claims, as well as three-eights of the town site of Leastock, Cal., situated on the Nevada line, at the junction of the Salt Lake and Santa Fé roads. At this point he has platted one hundred and sixty acres and is engaged in selling lots and making im- provements.

The first marriage of Mr. Usrey took place in Kansas and united him with Miss Betsey Moore, who was born at Pleasant Gap, Mo., and died in Redondo, Cal. Five children were born of their union, namely: Effie, who married Richard Campbell, of Los Angeles; Jessie, Mrs. C. B. Horton, of Los Angeles; Lillie, wife of Milton Saxton, of San Pedro; Grace, deceased ; and Frederick, who resides with his father. May 22, 1895, at Redondo, occurred the marriage of William Usrey to Miss Josephine Wilkinson, who was born in Los Angeles, the only child of Joseph and Jennie (McLarty) Wilkinson, na- tives respectively of Galena, Floyd county, Ind., and Iowa. The paternal grandfather, John Wil- kinson, was an Indiana farmer, and Joseph Wil- kinson was reared to agricultural pursuits, but chose the law for his profession, and in 1872 came to Los Angeles. Eventually he returned to the east and there died. The only child of Mr. Usrey's second marriage is a daughter, Gladys. In politics Mr. Usrey votes with the Democratic party and fraternally holds member- ship with the Order of Eagles.

GEORGE EASTON. Located two miles north of Perris, George Easton operates one of the best dairies in Riverside county. He has forty-five head of high-grade dairy cows, which produce an average of one pound of butter each per day, the dairy being fitted with separator and the necessary butter-making machinery to enable Mr. Easton to turn out a fancy product. His ranch consists of one hundred and thirteen acres, seventy acres being devoted to the rais- ing of alfalfa. A large pumping plant, fitted with a forty horse power Fairbanks & Morse gas engine, is used to pump the water from two wells, which have a capacity of one hundred and fifty inches, and the machinery has sufficient power to lift it seventy feet, thus securing ample force and an adequate supply.

Utah is the native state of Mr. Easton, his birth having occurred there October 22, 1852. His parents, Alexander and Mary (McDougal) Easton, were of Scotch nativity, he being from Glasgow and she from the Highlands. They im- migrated to the United States in 1846, landing at New Orleans, where they remained for five years. Their next move was to Utah, the father

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being a believer in the Mormon religious faith, with the exception of the polygamy doctrine, which was then advocated. In 1854 the Easton family became pioneer settlers in San Bernardino county, where Mr. Easton engaged in farming and also invested in some city property. His wife died in 1863, at the age of forty-five years, and lie at the age of fifty-five, in 1872.

A subscription school in San Bernardino was the medium through which George Easton re- ceived his education, and his first employment after school days were over was as teamster between San Bernardino and the mining camps on the Mojave desert. He followed this busi- ness for about ten years, later engaged in farm- ing, and in 1894 located in San Jacinto and es- tablished himself in the dairy business. He con- tinued there for ten years and in 1904 removed to his present location, where he conducts the largest dairy in the valley, the enterprise and energy with which he pursues his business giv- ing him very great success.

In December, 1873, Mr. Easton was united in marriage with Princetiea Brooks, a native of Utah, and the union has been blessed by the birth of nine children: Mary, now the wife of G. Thomas, of Perris valley; Sarah, the wife of Henry Robertson, of Rialto; Emma, the wife of John Tedford, of Perris valley; Margaret; Mabel; Pearl; Alexander; Samuel, and Ray- mond. Mr. Easton is a Democrat in politics and lends his enthusiastic support to the furthering of all progressive and elevating enterprises of social and civic importance. He has always been an advocate of good schools and served as a director in the district when he lived near San Jacinto.

SAMUEL R. HANCOCK. Although a non- resident of California at the present time, Sam- uel R. Hancock holds large property interests in Los Angeles county, where he has owned investments since 1892. He was born June 26, 1832, in New Hampshire, where he received his early education through the medium of the com- mon schools. At the age of sixteen he began to work on a farm for an aunt, and in 1855 came to California and engaged in mining for two years, having located on the north fork of the American river. He then returned to New Hampshire and took charge of the four hun- dred acre farm which has been owned by his family for one hundred years. He continued to work this farm until 1898, when he retired and has since been enjoying the fruits of a suc- cessful career.

The property which he now owns in California embraces a large number of developed oil wells that pay a handsome income. His wife, who

was Gratia Eames in maidenhood, is a native of New Hampshire, and to them have been born six children.

The son, John Hancock, was born in New Hampshire in 1876, receiving his education in his native state through the medium of the com- mon and high schools. He now resides in Cole- grove, Los Angeles county, Cal., and is en- gaged in managing his father's oil interests. He is one of the prominent men of Colegrove and has gained the highest respect and esteem of both business associates and social friends.

WILLIAM FOOTE SPRINKLE. The an- cestral record of this well-known business man of Redondo Beach points to an honored family identified with the colonial settlement of Vir- ginia. His father, W. H., who was a native of the Old Dominion, settled in Indiana at an early day and became a traveling salesman, with Greencastle as his home. When the Civil war was casting its blighting influence over the in- dustries of both north and south, he was a stanch supporter of the Union and would have enlisted had his obligation to wife and children permit- ted. At the time of Quantrell's raid on Law- rence, Kans., he was living in the latter city, engaged in the pump business, and at the same time serving as a member of the state militia. When the war came to an end he removed to- Topeka and built a lime kiln, but later purchased and removed to a valuable farm near Silver lake. Removing to California in 1875, he settled on a ranch near Vacaville. Four years later he trans- ferred his attention to the mines near Yuma, Ariz., along the Colorado river, and in 1885 became interested in farming at Colton, Cal. At this writing he occupies a small ranch near Bur- bank, Los Angeles county. In politics he votes. with the Republican party, in religious views. holds membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church and fraternally affiliates with the Ma- sonic Order. During early manhood he married Isabelle Jump, who was born in Connecticut and died in Indiana, leaving two children. She is descended from a patriot of the Revolutionary war, thereby entitling her descendants to mem- bership in the Daughters of the Revolution. Of her children the only survivor is William F., who was born at Greencastle, Ind., February 22, 1863, and was an infant when death deprived him of a mother's loving care. When he came to California he was about twelve years of age, and afterward attended the grammar and high schools of Oakland.

Upon entering the world for himself, Mr. Sprinkle secured a livelihood by doing office work with the Southern Pacific Railroad Com- pany at Bowie, Ariz., and after a year he was-

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transferred to train service as a brakeman. From that position in 1883 he was promoted to be conductor between Tucson and Yuma and continued until 1887, when he resigned from that road. Coming to Los Angeles, he became a conductor on the Santa Fé Railroad out from this city and continued until 1897, when he re- signed and took a position on the Redondo branch, holding this until August of 1905. Dur- ing his entire service with both roads he had no wreck of any consequence and never received a serious injury. He dates his residence in Re- dondo from December 12, 1897, and shortly after his arrival he began the building of the house on Catalina avenue which he now occupies. He organized and became manager of the Redondo Milling Company, manufacturers of rolled bar- ley feed, which is one of the most important enterprises in the town. By his marriage to Lola N. Long, who was born in Valparaiso, Ind., and reared in Los Angeles, he has one child, Emma Bessie, who is a student in the grammar school of Redondo. Mrs. Sprinkle passed away at her home June 10, 1906, aged thirty-six years. She was an active member of the Congregational Church and he contributes to the maintenance of the same, also to other worthy movements for the advancement of the town and the welfare of its residents. After coming to Redondo he was made a Mason in Redondo Lodge No. 328, F. & A. M., and also has been prominent in the Order of the Eastern Star, of which he is past worthy patron, while his wife officiated as secretary, also as lady com- mander of the L. O. T. M., and was also presi- dent of the P. E. O. Society at the time of her death. While connected with the road he be- came affiliated with the Order of Railway Con- ductors, having his membership in San Ber- nardino. Though not a partisan in his views nor an office-seeker, he stanchly favors Repub- lican principles and may always be depended upon to support the doctrines of the party.

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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 137

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