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 138

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

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JOSHUA ANDREWS. One of the leading contractors and builders of Glendale, Joshua An- drews has been an important factor in promoting the building interests of Los Angeles county for many years, successfully following the trade that he learned in the east. Possessing much mechanical ingenuity, and skilled in the use of tools, he has proved himself a master workman, and since coming to the Pacific coast has been constantly employed. A native of Canada, he was born December 15, 1867, at Windsor Mills, Quebec. His father, Joseph Andrews, was born in Glasgow, Scotiand, and his wife, whose maiden name was Silence Marion, was of Cana- dian birth. They reared a family consisting of

seven sons and two daughters, and two of their sons, Llewellyn and Joshua, reside in Glendale. On his mother's side Joshua Andrews comes of New England stock, for her father was born and reared in Vermont, although he afterwards removed to Canada, where he engaged in agri- cultural pursuits for many years.

Having obtained a practical education in the public schools of Windsor Mills, Joshua An- drews served an apprenticeship at the carpen- ter's trade, working first in his native town, and then in Clinton, Mass., where he remained two and one-half years. Remaining in the east he followed his trade successfully for three years, and then came to California. Locating in Los Angeles, he worked there as a contractor and builder, erecting many buildings in that city and its suburbs, winning for himself a fine reputa- tion for his artistic and durable work. Coming to Glendale in August, 1904, he formed a part- nership with E. K. Grant, and they have since had their full share of the large amount of build- ing done annually in this thriving city.

In Canada Mr. Andrews married Ethel Var- ney, daughter of Albert and Phoebe (Scott) Varney, now residents of Glendale, their pleas- ant home being located at the corner of Third street and Verdugo road. In politics Mr. An- drews is a loyal supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Forest- ers and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

JOHN CARNER. A man of persistent en- ergy and. good business ability, John Carner is numbered among the sturdy, energetic farmers of Los Angeles county who thoroughly under- stand the vocation which they follow, and he is carrying on his ranch with both profit and pleas- ure. It is finely located about three miles south of Inglewood, and is well improved and well equipped with the necessary machinery for its cultivation. A native of New York state, lie was born January 6, 1864, of German ancestry, his father, Henry Carner, having been born in Hanover, Germany, October 18, 1836. After obtaining a good common school education in the Fatherland, in 1855 he immigrated to the new world, settling in New York state, where he worked as a farm hand for about fifteen years. Going westward with his family in 1870 he bought land in Iowa upon which he carried on farming for about four years. When his son John was about eight years old the family re- moved to Minnesota by wagon, the son making the trip on horseback, swimming across the river on his horse. The marriage of Henry Carner united him with Catherine Roeder, who was

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born April 18, 1833, in Nasan, Germany, and who immigrated to the United States in 1854. About three years later, December 10, 1857, in Albany, N. Y., occurred her marriage with Mr. Carner. Six children were born of their mar- riage, named in order of birth as follows; Carrie T., born in Rensselaer county, N. Y., October 14, 1858; Mary E., born in the same county January 20, 1862, and dying in the same year ; John, born January 6, 1864, in Rensselaer county ; Harvey, born October 10, 1865, in Iowa, and who died the following year; William, born June 17, 1873, in Minnesota ; and Henry, born May 12, 1876, in Minnesota. After living on his homestead claim in Minnesota for several years the father retired from active pursuits and came to California to spend his later years, mak- ing his home on Figueroa street in Los Angeles for eighteen years, and now lives on Confidence and Hill streets. The mother is an excellent woman and a faithful member of the Nazarine Church.

Brought up on an Iowa farm, thirty miles from the nearest railway, John Carner acquired his early education in the district schools, re- maining at home until attaining his majority. Starting then on his own account, he rented land, and was successfully employed as a tiller of the soil in Minnesota about four years. Com- ing to Los Angeles county in 1888 he continued his chosen occupation, for thirteen years renting land. Succeeding well in his labors, he pur- chased his present ranch, lying three miles south of Inglewood, in 1901, and in its management has met with excellent results, reaping a good annual income from his abundant harvests.

In Los Angeles county, Cal., Mr. Carner mar- ried. October 1, 1890, Carrie M. Anderson, a daughter of Frank E. Anderson, who was born October 29. 1852, of English descent. He served in the Civil war as sergeant in the bar- racks. In Dodge City, Kans., in 1869, he was united in marriage with Mary A. Holland, who was born July 21, 1851, the daughter of Ben- jamin and Mary Elizabeth (Davis) Holland. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. An- derson, as follows: Carrie M., born August 7, 1871, in Lawrence, Kans .; Lydia A., March 14, 1874, in Mississippi : Elma, September 24, 1878, in Kansas ; Alfred Gordon, October 8, 1879, and who died during the same year; Oria Bell, born December 21, 1881, in Kansas; Charlie, Sep- tember 10, 1884, in Kansas: and Frank, Jr., born in the same state September 27, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson traveled quite extensively prior to coming to California in 1889, and are now making their home in Santa Ana, Orange county.

Benjamin Holland was married in Maryland April 20, 1840, to Sarah Grace Pitts, who died

in 1848, having become the mother of four chil- dren, Martha E., Julia M., John B. and Hilry P. His marriage in 1850 united him with Mary Elizabeth Davis, of Maryland, and to them were born the following children: Mary A., born in Maryland July 21, 1851; Moses, born in the same state January 20, 1854; Maggie, also born in Maryland, December 15, 1856, and who died at the age of thirty-seven; Sophia, born in Iowa July 18, 1859; Amanda, who was also born in Iowa, and died when two years of age; and Eliz- abeth, born in lowa February 28, 1864. When their first child was five years old Mr. and Mrs. Holland removed to Iowa, making their home in that state for fourteen years, when they again took up the westward march, going from there by wagon to Kansas. Seven years later, in 1877, the family removed to Los Angeles, Cal. In the following year Carrie M. Anderson came to California in company with an aunt and made her home with her grandparents, Benjamin and Mary E. Holland, remaining with them until her marriage with John Carner October 1, 1890. February 26, 1902, the grandmother died, leav- ing the grandfather alone, save for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, by all of whom he is beloved and revered. For one of his age, having been born July 9, 1817, he is remarkably well preserved, is hale and hearty and writes a very legible hand. Mr. and Mrs. Holland were members of the Congregational Church, and Mr. and Mrs. Anderson belong to the Methodist Church. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Carner three children have been born: Irvin W. was born August 6, 1892, and was baptized in Los Angeles November 13, 1892, by W. B. Stradley, the minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Clarence H. was born Janu- ary II, 1896, and was baptized April 19, 1896, in the Harmony school house in Los Angeles by A. Hardie. Walter E. was born February 9, 1900, and was baptized September 16 of the same year in Harmony Methodist Episcopal Church by A. Hardie. Politically Mr. Carner is a steadfast supporter of the principles of the Republican party, but has never been an aspirant for official honors.

JOSIAH D. BRUBAKER. The largest and most successful poultry raiser in Hemet is J. D. Brubaker, who has been engaged in the business since 1903 and finds it very profitable. In April. 1858, he was born in Salem, Va., the son of John and Mary (Neff) Brubaker, both natives of Virginia. The father, who was a farmer, located in Girard, Ill., in 1864, his death occur- ring at that place in October, 1905, he having attained the age of seventy-two years. His wife is still living in Girard. J. D. Brubaker re-

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ceived his early education in the common schools of Illinois, and when his studies were completed engaged in agricultural pursuits there until 1888, when he went to Nebraska and followed the pro- fession of school teaching near Sidney the ensu- ing ten years. He then decided to come to Cali- fornia and take advantage of the opportunities which this country holds for the energetic man in all lines, and in 1898 he located at Hemet, where he soon purchased a residence on Florida avenue and has been living there ever since. He improved the ranch and engaged in raising crops until 1903, when he entered the poultry business on a large scale and now owns eight hundred birds, finding two of his largest cus- tomers for eggs in the Idyllwild and Hemet hotels. In addition to the management of his ranch Mr. Brubaker also works at the carpen- ter's trade and thus adds materially to his yearly income.

In 1879, in Illinois, J. D. Brubaker was united in marriage with Miss Susan, daughter of Isaac M. Gibbel, who was an early pioneer in Cali- fornia. This union has been blessed by the birth of six children, namely : Fannie May ; Law- rence G .; Owen G., in the hardware business in Hemet ; Viola ; Darus; and Glenn. Mr. Bru- baker is an active member and liberal supporter of the German Baptist Church and is interested in every enterprise tending to upbuild and ele- vate the community in which he resides. Polit- ically he affiliates with the Republican party and is well informed on all social and civic matters of interest to the public.

CAPT. FRANK B. CLARK. Though not classed among the early settlers of the United States the Clark family has been identified with our country for the greater portion of a cen- tury and its members have contributed their quota toward the development of the resources of the new world. The first to settle in America was Francis Clark, who was born in England July 22, 1815, and in early youth learned the trade of leather manufacturer in his native land. On starting out in the world to earn his liveli- hood he came to the United States about 1835 and followed his trade in Connecticut for a brief period. but as early as 1844 he embarked in business for himself, purchasing a tannery at Brooklyn, Windham county, Conn., which he op- erated successfully throughout the remainder of his life. After becoming a citizen of the United States he voted the Whig ticket and upon the disintegration of that party he affiliated with the Republicans. At the time of his death, No- vember 22, 1875, he was sixty years of age. On coming to this country he was single, but shortly afterward he met and married Sarah M. Heath,

who was born in New London county, Conn., July 30, 1822, and died February 3, 1905. Through her mother she was descended from the Chapman family, colonial settlers of New England ; her father was a native of that region and served in the war of 1812, afterward re- maining in the east until his death.

Among the children of Francis and Sarah M. Clark there was a son, Frank B., born in New London county, Conn., February 4, 1843, but reared in Brooklyn, Windham county, from the age of one year. In addition to grammar-school advantages he attended an academy in his home town. At the opening of the Civil war his sym- pathies were at once strongly enlisted on the side of the Union, and August 6, 1862, he en- listed as a private in Company K, Twenty-first Connecticut Infantry, and afterward served for three years mainly in Virginia and North Caro- lina. Under General Burnside he took part in the first engagement of Fredericksburg. Later he was at Suffolk and Portsmouth in 1863, then on the peninsula, and from Washington, D. C., in 1864 to Bermuda Hundred, later at Drury's Bluff, and June 2 to 14, 1864, under Grant at Cold Harbor. After a long siege at Petersburg he was present at the taking of the Heights and about that time was promoted to be first lieuten- ant of his company. Later he was sent with his regiment to reinforce Sherman in North Caro- lina, going with the command that took Fort Fisher, and was with Sherman at the battle of Bentonville, N. C., after which he continued with Sherman until the downfall of the Confed- eracy. Shortly after his enlistment he was made acting hospital steward of the brigade and about a year before the close of the war he was pro- moted to be captain of his company, with a rec- ommendation for promotion to brevet-major. After a service of four years and four months he was honorably discharged at Washington, D. C., December 5, 1866. During the long pe- riod of his service he was never wounded nor imprisoned, yet the hardships and exposures had undermined his health and he returned to his home an invalid. After a vain attempt to carry on a college course in a Baptist school in Con- necticut, he was obliged to relinquish his studies and at once went to the mountains of Wyoming in the hope of being benefited by the change of climate.

Driving through from Laramie, Wyo., Captain Clark landed at Los Angeles February 23, 1869. Not far from the city he purchased a tract of eighty acres which he yet owns. The land was secured from settlers and from two holders of grants from the government. After a year in the mines in 1870 he returned to Los Angeles county and bought one hundred and sixty acres of unfenced and unimproved land. The only at-

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tempt made at improving the place had been the erection of an adobe house and when he came here only the walls of this primitive structure remained. As the years passed by he not only improved this property, but also bought and rented land to the extent of fifteen hundred acres, all of which was devoted to farm products. However, the building of the railroads and the incoming of settlers rendered the land too valu- able for general farming and he then turned his attention to the development of his real estate interests. He now cwns a store building in Hyde Park, as well as one hundred and sixty- five lots. Altogether he owns about three hun- dred acres in this vicinity, as well as an attract- ive modern residence; also one hundred acres in Riverside county, Cal .; three hundred and twenty acres of Oregon timber lands; and the old homestead in Brooklyn, Conn., which he pur- chased from the other heirs at the settlement of the estate.

The marriage of Captain Clark took place July 16, 1878, and united him with Miss Lizzie S. Leach, who was born at Pittsford, Rutland county, Vt., September 25, 1852, and came from the east to California about 1872. The only son of their marriage, Clarence, is a resident of northern California. Their only daughter, Cora H., a young girl of unusual promise, died Feb- ruary 9, 1897, at the age of fifteen years, and in memory of her beautiful life the parents erect- ed the Memorial Congregational Church of Hyde Park. In the work of this church both are active, Captain Clark officiating as a deacon and also as the leader of the Bible class. As might be expected of a war veteran with a long and honorable record, he takes a deep interest in the Grand Army of the Republic, and is now identified with Stanton Post No. 55, in Los An- geles. Among other organizations in which he holds membership are the Society of California Pioneers and the Loval Legion. Ever since at- taining his majority he has given his vote and influence toward the Republican party in na- tional affairs, but in local matters believes that the character and intelligence of the candidate are of greater importance than his opinions as to the tariff, etc. While always willing to help such of his friends as may be candidates, he never seeks office for himself and at no time in his life would he consent to take upon himself the burden of official responsibilities; yet he is public-spirited and progressive, interested in everything making. toward the upbuilding of his community, a generous contributor to worthy movements, a man of temperance principles, and in every respect a worthy citizen whose presence has been most helpful to the permanent progress of his community.

LOUIS FERDINAND ROUSSEY. The de- velopment of the resources of Ventura county thereby bringing enhanced values to the lands and increased profits from the cultivation of the same, may be attributed to the energetic efforts and wise judgment of men intimately associated with the history of this part of the state. All cit- izens have benefited by the sagacity of the up- builders of the county and all are a unit in appre- ciation of the prosperity of the present era. In the number of those who have been benefited financially by the development of the rich lands of this section, mention belongs to Louis Ferdi- nand Roussey, who came here in the fall of 1882 and has since engaged in agricultural pursuits with excellent success.

The Roussey family descends from French an- cestry and was founded in America by John B. Roussey, who in young manhood came from France to Pennsylvania® and there engaged in farming and lumbering, later following kindred pursuits in Kansas, where he improved large tracts of raw land. During 1885 he spent six months in California and in 1897 he again came to the coast, settling in Santa Paula, where he remained until death. His widow, now residing in Oxnard, bore the maiden name of Henrietta Petit and was born in France. Their ten chil- dren are still living, the third of these being Louis Ferdinand, who was born in Clearfield county, Pa., in 1862, and about 1866 was taken to Kansas by his parents. For a short time he lived in Douglas county, but soon removed with the family to Franklin county, Kans., settling on raw land near Wellsville. There he aided in the arduous task of improving a farm and during the leisure hours on the farm he was sent to the neighboring schools.

On coming to California in 1882 Mr. Roussey found that the leading crops in Ventura county were wheat and barley. Securing employment on ranches, he worked for different parties for some years. During 1885 he visited in Kansas for a few months. On his return to the west he resumed agricultural pursuits and later bought sixty-four acres one-half mile south of the pres- ent site of Oxnard, for which in 1894 he paid $125 per acre. A part of this tract is now in- cluded in the town site. Immediately he began to make improvements, sinking an artesian well, erecting a house and barn, and making such other changes as would facilitate the carrying forward of the beet and bean industry. During 1900 he sold the property to Mr. Milligan for $265 per acre. During 1895 he had made a second trip back to Kansas, and in 1900 he went there for the third time, later going east as far as Chicago, but he saw no locality that impressed him so fa- vorably as California. Since his last trip east he has acquired other property and now owns one

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hundred acres three miles southeast of Oxnard, which he bought for $90 per acre, and on which he engages in raising beans and beets. In addi- tion, he owns a tract of four hundred and thirty acres of grain land on the Simi, which he rents to a tenant, and he also owns two and one-half acres on the Savier road within the city limits of Oxnard, as well as a residence lot on the corner of Second and C streets, all of these various and valuable possessions representing the results of his energy and sagacity. In national politics he votes the Republican ticket, while locally he sup- ports those men whom he deems best qualified to preserve the integrity of the body politic and pro- mote the welfare of the citizens. The Citizens' Club numbers him among its active members and stanch supporters, while fraternally he holds membership with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Santa Barbara.

LEWIS A. PERCE, M. D. A place of im- portance is accorded Dr. Lewis A. Perce among the physicians of Long Beach, Los Angeles county, where he has been an esteemed resident for nine years, having located in this city upon his arrival in California in 1898. He is a native son of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Springfield March 8, 1854. His parents, Will- iam and Roxanna (Vittum) Perce, were natives respectively of Pickaway and Huron counties, Ohio, the father a descendant of French Hugue- not stock and the mother of Scotch ancestry. William Perce became a pioneer of Sangamon county, Ill., in 1840, crossing the country from Ohio to the Prairie state by means of ox-teams. He engaged in the hardware and grocery busi- ness in Sangamon county and in the passing years built up a large custom which brought him satisfactory financial returns. In addition to his success in business he became prominent in Re- publican politics in the county and served ac- ceptably as sheriff, and was also active in the convention that nominated Lincoln for the pres- idency. There is now in the possession of his son, Lewis A. Perce, a cane which was ·pre- sented to him by Mr. Lincoln, who was his life- long friend. Upon the breaking out of the Civil war Mr. Perce organized Company B, of the Seventieth Regiment Illinois Infantry, and served as its captain for twenty months, when he was discharged on account of disability. Re- turning to his home in Illinois he remained a resident of that state until 1875, in which year he removed to Russell, Kans., and there fol- lowed the grocery business until his death. His wife was born in Huron county, Ohio, and early in life removed to Columbus, where her father owned an old water mill on the Scioto river.

Lewis A. Perce was reared to young manhood

in his native state and in the public schools of Springfield received his preliminary education, also attending commercial college in that place. Deciding to take up the profession of medicine for his lifework, he became a student in the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1873, and after a thorough course of lectures returned home, which in the meantime was changed from Springfield to Russell, Kans., where he engaged in the practice of his profes- sion. Continuing his studies he was graduated in 1882, after which he located in Forest, Ohio, for a time and later in Bucyrus, same state, and began the practice of his profession, which con- tinued until 1898. In the meantime he had mar- ried in Russell, Kans., Sarah A. B. Miles, whose father (a second cousin of General Miles), with his five sons, served in the Union army during the Civil war.

Although having attained a marked degree of success in Ohio, where he had been located for sixteen years, Dr. Perce became interested in the future of Southern California, and accordingly, in 1898, he came to the Pacific coast, and after one month spent in Pasadena, located permanent- ly in Long Beach. He began his practice of medicine with Dr. O. C. Welbourn, but after eight months in the partnership he purchased the entire interest and has since continued alone. He engages in a general practice, which has grown to lucrative proportions, but makes a specialty of eye, ear, nose and throat diseases, using the X- Ray to a large extent in his work. Besides at- tending to his personal practice he has taken a lively interest in all lines pertaining to his profes- sion. contributing frequently to medical journals and becoming prominently known throughout the state.

In 1901 Dr. Perce was elected a member of the Board of Medical Examiners of the State of California and three years later was elected president, filling the position with efficiency. In 1905 he was made president of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, which office he fills at the present time. He is examining physician for a number of old-line insurance companies, as well as fraternal societies, and is assistant surgeon of the Uniformed Rank of the Knights of Pythias, of which he is a member. He is also associated with the Masonic Lodge of Long Beach and the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and in social circles is prominent, being a member of the local Auto Club and others, in which he takes a lively interest. In business he is a stockholder in the Long Beach National Bank and the Citizens Savings Bank of the same place, and has unbounded confidence in the future of the city he has made his home, invest- ing his means liberally in real estate. In politics he has always been a party wheel horse, taking

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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 138

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