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 139

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 139

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).

2000

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

a lively interest in the advancement of Repub- lican principles, which he heartily endorses. While a resident of Ohio he stumped the state with the late Senator Hanna and President McKinley, giving time and means liberally in the support of his friends for public office, al- though personally the manifold duties and in- terests of his profession have so engrossed his attention that he has not cared for recognition along these lines.

MRS. MARTHA J. HOBBS. One of the oldest residents of San Bernardino county is Mrs. Martha J. Hobbs, who came here in 1869 on one of the first overland trains. The Cline family, of which she is a member, was among the first that settled in New York even before the United States was an independent nation, her grandfather, John Cline, having been born in New York, served in the war of 1812, and at the time of his death had attained the remark- able age of one hundred and four years. Her father was born in Rochester, N. Y., where he followed the carpenter's trade, later removing to Lenox, Ohio, from there to Henderson county, Ill., and finally in 1850 crossing the plains with a four-horse outfit, the trip consuming six months. For two years he was interested in mining in Placer county, then came to Temecula and engaged in the cattle business with a Mr. Moody, continuing the partnership for sixteen years. They had succeeded in accumulating a very large number of cattle scattered over a wide range of country, and when they decided to divide the herds and continue business inde- pendently, with a generous disregard of a pos- sible discrepancy in numbers which might oc- cur, they rounded up the cattle in one large bunch and directed two Mexicans to ride through the herd as near the center as possible and each man took a half as thus divided. That the meth- od was an entirely satisfactory one to both par- ties was proven by the fact that Mr. Cline and Mr. Moody remained friends ever afterwards.

Taking his share of the cattle Mr. Cline re- moved them to Ft. Mojave and placed them on the range, but the Indians molested them so fre- quently and stole so many that he decided to re- move to Cucamonga, where he kept them until 1872. Taking them again to Mojave he kept them there for several years, after which he sold the entire herd and spent the remainder of his life on his ranch at Rincon. His death oc- curred June 8, 1892, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. He was a justice of the peace in Illinois and later at Temecula, and his polit- ical affiliations were with the Republican party. His wife was Elizabeth Pratt, a native of New York, and the daughter of Jacob Pratt. Mrs.

Cline's death occurred December 30, 1841, in Illinois, two of her three children being still alive.

The birth of Martha J. Cline occurred in New York, and when she was one year old she was taken by her parents to Ohio, and she was five years old at the time of the removal to Hender- son county, Ill., where she attended a subscrip- tion school. In 1853, in Oquawka, that county, she was united in marriage with Thomas Giles, a German by birth, who had made his home in Illinois from an early age. By trade he was an upholsterer, a business which he followed for many years. During the Civil war he joined an Illinois regiment, acting as bodyguard to General McClellan; after the close of the war he re- sumed civil life in Illinois and there died. Two children were born of that union, namely : Sophia R., who married A. A. Dexter, became the moth- er of eleven children, and now has seven grand- children ; and William, a resident of Chicago.

In 1869 Mrs. Giles came to California with her father and became a resident of Rincon. In San Bernardino December 30, 1870, she was married to William A. Hobbs, who was born in North Carolina April 2, 1838, and came to Cali- fornia via Panama in 1853. For many years he engaged in mining and later teamed between Prescott, Ariz., and Los Angeles, and it was while thus employed that he became acquainted with the Cline family. For eleven years Mr. Hobbs was engaged in farming at Rincon, and in January, 1881, removed to San Bernardino, bought the hotel site, a year later built the Hobbs house and continued to conduct it until 1901, when it was turned over to Mrs. Hobbs' grand daughter, Mrs. W. C. Foster. who in 1906 put it into the hands of her niece, Mrs. Emma Hewes, who is now the proprietor. Mr. Hobbs' death occurred November 2, 1904, he being at that time seventy-six years and seven months of age. Fraternally he was a Mason, and politically af- filiated with the Democratic party. Mrs. Hobbs is an extensive property owner, and besides the three residences which she owns (two adjoining the Hobbs house and one on F street in San Bernardino), she has a house and lot in Santa Monica. She is an active member of the Meth- odist Church, a woman of many fine personal qualities and possesses unusual business ability.

EDWARD WASHINGTON PECK. Al- though filling the position of foreman of Taylor Brothers' brick yards in San Bernardino, Ed- ward Washington Peck is a resident of Pasadena, which city has been his home for the past fifteen years. His grandfather, Hon. Washington Peck, a native of New York, was a pioneer settler in the then territory of Washington and was a man well known all over the northwestern part of the

2001

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

United States. He made four trips across the plains with ox teams and was thoroughly fa- miliar with the mountainous country over which he did so much traveling and frequently acted as guide to others less well acquainted with the roads. For eight years he served as a guide to the United States troops in Arizona and was twice sent as a delegate to congress from the ter- ritory of Washington. He was at one time in- terested in mining operations near Prescott, Ariz., and helped to develop the old Peck mine near that point. In Washington he was engaged in extensive agricultural pursuits near Sedalia, and was living in that state at the time of his death.

David Peck, the father of Edward Washing- ton, was born in New York state and crossed the plains to San Francisco in 1849. As a cattle dealer he made several trips east in the course of his business operations, spending a little over one year in Canada. In 1861 he became a pioneer farmer in Page county, Iowa, and lived in that state forty-six years. He was a man of consid- erable influence and prominence in that county and was recognized as the arbiter of all neigh- borhood disputes, the justice of his decisions giving general and mutual satisfaction to all in- terested parties. He was popularly known all over the country as Uncle David Peck and his death, at the age of seventy-two years, removed a man who was universally loved and respected. Religiously he was a devout member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church and politically he advo- cated the principles embraced in the platform of the Republican party. His wife was Eliza, daughter of Francis Carey, her father having es- tablished himself as a merchant in London, Can- ada, where his death occurred. Mrs. Peck died in Iowa.

There were six children in the family of which Edward Washington Peck was a member, four of whom are still living. He was born February 23, 1858, in London, Canada, but was reared on the farm in Iowa. He received a superior edu- cation, first in the district schools of Page county, then at the Keokuk high school, and finally took a course at Shenandoah. College. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age, then went to Ness county, Kans., and located on a homestead, pre-emption and tree claim eleven miles north of Ness City, upon which he proved up in due time, being mean- while engaged in the stock business. In 1892. having endorsed paper to a large amount for a friend, he was obliged to make the endorsement good and in doing so found it necessary to dis- pose of all of his stock and farm property with the exception of the land which at that time was worth almost nothing. He recently sold this land, which is now valued at $10 per acre. Af- ter settling his financial obligations Mr. Peck came to Pasadena and for a time drove teams for

Simon Brothers, until he secured the position of foreman of the Pasadena brick yards. He worked in this capacity for some time, later was made collector for the firm in Los Angeles and in 1905 resigned this position to accept his pres- ent place as foreman in Taylor Brothers' brick yard at San Bernardino. He is the owner of several pieces of valuable real estate in Pasadena, and has a fine residence on South Euclid avenue in that city. He also has an interest in the Col- orado River Gold and Copper Mining Com- pany, having been president of the company un- til coming to San Bernardino, and operates quartz mines near Parker, which are making a fine showing.

The marriage of Mr. Peck occurred at Ham- burg, Iowa, and united him with Miss Fannie Simons, who was born there. They are the par- ents of four children : Walter, an electrician for the Pacific Electric Railway ; Lawrence, a plumb- er; Carey, who lives at Pasadena; and Marie. Mrs. Peck is a member of the Baptist Church, which is liberally supported by the family. Fra- ternally Mr. Peck affiliates with the Woodmen of the World, and politically believes in the principles advocated in the platform of the Re- publican party. He is a man of pleasing address, of no mean business ability and a public-spirited citizen who is held in the highest esteem by all who know him.

ROBERT NELSON. The life which this narrative sketches began in Kent county, Eng- land, near the city of London and closed in Sunderland, England. Though born and de- ceased in Great Britain, Mr. Nelson spent the active years of his life in the United States and regarded himself as a true American, being ever loyal and patriotic to his adopted coun- try. The son of a sea captain, he did not have any inclination toward his father's occupation, but served an apprenticeship of seven years to the trade of an upholsterer and at the expiration of his time began in the furniture and upholster- ing business for himself at Darlington, Eng- land. While there he married Miss Margaret Weatherall, a native of that city. In 1865, ac- companied by his wife and one son, he crossed the ocean to the United States and settled at Elmira, N. Y. For a period of about twenty years he carried on an upholstering establish- ment in that city and also filled orders for cabi- net-work, meanwhile gaining a reputation for reliable workmanship and sagacious business methods. Constant attention to details connect- ed with the business eventually undermined his health and, hoping that a change of climate might prove beneficial, lie returned to England to visit among the scenes familiar to his boyhood and early manhood. However, the change did

2002

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

not bring the favorable results hoped for, and he (lied while still in that country.

After having sold out the business which her husband had conducted for many years, Mrs. Margaret Nelson removed to Missouri and bought a tract of eighty acres in Douglas county, in addition to which she took up a homestead of one hundred and twenty acres. In the develop- ment of the land she had the capable assistance of her sons, Joseph and Arthur, the only surviv- ors of her eight children. At the death of her husband these two boys were fifteen and seven years of age respectively. Though mere lads, they proved themselves efficient assistants to their mother, and the three worked together in harmony and with success. In 1894 Mrs. Nel- son came to California in the interest of her health. The climate and surroundings proved so attractive that she decided to remove permanent- ly to the coast, and thereupon in 1896 disposed of her property in Missouri, came to California, and settled at Hyde Park, where now she makes her home, having still with her the younger son, while the elder, who is married, lives near by in the same town. The sons own a number of lots in Hyde Park and operate the Baldwin ranch of several hundred acres, a portion of which is un- der cultivation to grain, while the remainder of the land is under alfalfa. In political faith they follow the example of their father, who became a Republican upon taking up the duties of Ameri- can citizenship. Like him, too, they are ener- getic, capable and persevering, and fully merit abundant success. The Presbyterian denomina- tion represents the religious faith of the family, and Mr. Nelson until death remained a faithful member of that church, with which his widow continues to be identified.

JESSE H. CASE. The lineage of the Case family is traced to Germany, whence many years ago one of the name came to the new world and settled in Pennsylvania. A son of the first im- migrant removed to Ohio while that region was yet in a condition of primeval wildness. Gash- am C., grandson of the original immigrant, was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, and learned the cooper's trade in boyhood. After his removal to Illinois in 1835 he followed his trade at Quin- cy. Adams county, and later was similarly em- ployed in Brown county, that state, but in 1847 he removed to Iowa and the following year set- tled in Council Bluffs. When emigration began to turn toward the unknown west he disposed of his holdings in Iowa and in the spring of 1849 started across the plains with ox-teams. Ar- riving without accident at Salt Lake City he se- cured employment there and established a tem- porary home, but some years later he proceeded

to California and June 1, 1854, he arrived at San Bernardino with his wife and seven chil- dren. In addition to following the occupation of a freighter he carried on a large business as a horse doctor. Though he was not a graduate veterinary he possessed a thorough knowledge of diseases affecting the horse and was remark- ably successful in restoring sick animals to health. As the years passed by he accumulated a com- petency and became one of the well-to-do men of his region, where he was known for his re- markable generosity of disposition and kindness of heart. At the time of his death he had reached the age of eighty years, six months and four days.

The marriage of G. C. Case united him with Susan C. Fitchett, who was born in Maryland and died in Shasta county, Cal. Nine children were born of their union, seven of whom yet survive, the second in order of birth being James Hillman Case, who was born in Brown county, Ill., January 31, 1840, and came to California with the family at the age of fourteen years. For two months he was a pupil in a school held in a log building containing only a crude equip- ment for educational work. At an early age he began to drive teams for his father and in the course of his work frequently camped out at night with the snow for a blanket. In 1856 he enlisted under Capt. Robert Clifts in the First Light Dragoons of First Brigade, First Division of California Militia, and made a trip to Utah with the regiment. During December of 1861 he enlisted in Company E, First California Cav- alry, and served with his regiment in Indian wars in California, Arizona and New Mexico and as far away as Texas, being honorably discharged at Santa Fe December 20, 1864. During the bat- tle of Cook's Cañon he was one of nine cavalry- men who successfully resisted sixty-two Indians, of whom they killed eighteen, with a loss in their own little company of only one killed and two wounded. On being discharged he traveled from Fort Craig down the Rio Grande river to Las Cruces, thence across the country to Tucson, and down the Gila river to Fort Yuma, thence across the desert to Warner's ranch, arriving at San Bernardino February 7, 1865, more than three years after he had left home for service in the Civil war.

Not long after his return from the army James H. Case established domestic ties. His marriage, June 9, 1865, united him with Mary Elizabeth Folks, who was born in Madrid coun- ty. Mo., January 16, 1845, but from the age of six years made her home in San Bernardino. Out of a family of ten children she and one other alone survive. Her father, Jesse Folks, was born in Worcester county, Md., in 1808, and fol- lowed farming and carpentering. Though de-

2003

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

prived of educational advantages he became a scholarly man, the possessor of a broad fund of general information which made him an inter- esting conversationalist and cultured companion. During 1848, with his wife and six children, he traveled in a wagon drawn by oxen across the plains as far as Salt Lake City, and in 1851 came on to San Bernardino. Soon after his arrival he built a small house on what is now First and D streets. Securing work as a carpenter, he erect- ed some of the first houses in the town, and also engaged in farming, teaming and mining. After a useful and honorable life he passed away at his home aged eighty-three years. His wife. Mary Ann, was born in Maryland in 1815 and died at San Bernardino when eighty-two years of age; she was a daughter of William Liv- ingston, a Revolutionary soldier and a life-long resident of Maryland.

After having completed her education in local schools Miss Folks engaged in teaching and for a time had a small school at her father's home. but later taught on E street, each pupil paying a small sum as tuition. As far as can be ascer- tained, it is believed that she is the oldest teach- er now living in San Bernardino county. A woman of refinement and culture, she has always numbered among her friends the most intel- lectual people of the town, and in such circles her rare charms of mind have won lasting ad- miration. In her home, where her labors have chiefly centered, she has been a devoted wife and self-sacrificing mother, and now in life's afternoon she has the happiness of seeing her children well- established in San Bernardino, occupying high positions in social circles. The eldest child, Jesse H., whose name introduces this article, is cus- todian of the San Bernardino jail. The second child, Lelia, died at nine months of age. The others reside in San Bernardino, namely: Susan Stella, Mrs. George Heap; Florence, Mrs. John B. Smithson, Jr .; Mary Serena, Mrs. Thomas A. Smithson, and Stephen M.

By trading a small riding mule with saddle and bridle for four acres of land in 1866 James H. Case became a property-owner in San Ber- nardino. On the land he erected a small house which was destroyed by fire in 1893. Later he built his present residence on the same site. Un- til 1896 he engaged in freighting and the trans- fer business and ran the 'bus line between this town and Colton. Meanwhile he acquired twelve acres on I and Ninth streets, but some of this he sold and some he gave to his children, so that now now he retains only one acre. The San Bernardino County Pioneer Society of California numbers him among its leading members and in addition he holds membership with Cornman Post No. 57. G. A. R., in his home city, while

politically he always has been stanch in his al- legiance to the Republican party.

The oldest member of the family is the gen- tleman whose name introduces this sketch and who claims San Bernardino as his native city, his birth having occurred here December 29, 1866. At the age of fourteen years he began to haul freight from Colton to San Bernardino and soon became the trusted assistant of his father, who was then in ill health. After having con- tinued in the freighting business for fourteen years, in January of 1895 he received from Sher- iff Holcomb the appointment of deputy county sheriff and jailer. On a change in the adminis- tration and the election of a Democratic sheriff, he gave up his position and went to Los Angeles, where for two years he was in charge of the re- tail trade of the Globe flouring mills. In Jan- uary, 1903, Sheriff Ralphs tendered him the ap- pointment of deputy sheriff and jailer, and on the completion of the new jail (as fine a build- ing of the kind as the state can boast) he became its custodian in 1904, since which time he has de- voted all of his time to his duties as jailer. Po- litically he gives stanch support to Republican principles and is a local worker in the interests of the party. Socially he is a prominent mem- ber of San Bernardino Parlor, Native Sons of the Golden West, and maintains a deep interest in the welfare of the organization. His mar- riage was solemnized in San Bernardino June 14, 1906, and united him with Mrs. Dora (Cram) Barnes, who was born in Kansas and came to California with her father, Henry V. Cram, of Los Angeles. By virtue of her qualifications as a graduate trained nurse and her fine mental en- dowments, she is admirably adapted to fill the position of matron of the institution, in which capacity she now gives efficient service.

WILLIAM E. TROSTLE. Although a re- cent acquisition to the citizenship of Southern California. William E. Trostle has already demonstrated qualities of mind and heart which have won him a place of distinction among his fellowmen. He has lived in the state about three years, having removed from Illinois to take up his life among the pleasant surroundings of the Pacific coast country, and came at once to the vicinity of San Gabriel, where he purchased a ranch of nineteen acres, all of which is devoted to the cultivation of oranges. Born in State Center. Iowa, June 7, 1868, Mr. Trostle is a son of J. W. and Sarah (Van Orsdel) Trostle, both natives of Adams county, Pa. The father was a minister throughout his active life, combin- ing with this agricultural pursuits. He came to California in 1894 and purchased an orange orchard, and has since accepted the position of

2004

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

assistant pastor in Pasadena, where he is now living at the age of seventy-five years.

William E. Trostle received his preliminary education in the public schools in Iowa, and graduated from the high school at Kingsley. He then became a student in Mt. Morris College, in Illinois, and after a three years' course in the theological department graduated therefrom, and began his duties as a minister in the German Baptist Brethren, or better known as the Dunk- ard Church. He filled the pulpit at Pine Creek, in Polo, Ill., and also in Kingsley, Iowa, having been located in Illinois just prior to his emigra- tion to the Pacific coast. Upon his arrival in the state he at once located near San Gabriel and purchased his present ranch, sixteen acres being in full bearing and three acres in young trees. He has built a fine ten-room house, and put other valuable improvements on the place, and it is his intention to erect a fine automobile barn. Mr. Trostle has a charge at Pasadena, holds the bishopric of South Los Angeles in his church, and is presiding elder over the First Brethren Church of Long Beach.

In 1895 Mr. Trostie was united in marriage with Miss Katie Rowland, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Benjamin Rowland, who died in that state, while her mother is still living and making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Trostle. In his political views Mr. Trostle prefers to re- serve the right to cast his ballot for the man he considers best qualified for official position. He takes an interest in all progressive movements and lends his aid heartily to the advancement of the general welfare.

PIERRE DELPY. Ranking among the most intelligent, energetic and progressive agricultur- ists of San Diego county is Pierre Delpy, of Vista, who is actively employed in general agri- culture in Delpy valley, which was named in re- membrance of his uncle, Bernard Delpy, a pio- neer settler. For upwards of thirty years he has lived in this vicinity, and during the time has been associated with the growth and upbuilding of this part of the county, and by the exercise of his native industry and frugality has accu- mulated a fair share of this world's goods. A son of Bernard and Anna Delpy, lifelong resi- dents of France, he was born, May 19, 1856, in that country, and there spent his boyhood days, receiving limited educational advantages.

In 1874, thinking to improve his chances for acquiring a fortune, Pierre Delpy came with the uncle previously mentioned, Bernard Delpy, to the United States, landing in New York City, and from there coming directly to California. The uncle took up a government claim in San Diego county, near Vista, and in the valley now

bearing his name improved a ranch, on which he lived and labored until his death, at the age of fifty-five years, at one time being the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of finely im- proved land. Having a natural aptitude for agricultural pursuits, Pierre Delpy subsequently purchased a part of the estate which his uncle had improved, and began farming on his own account. Toiling vigorously, he met with good results, and as he accumulated money wisely in- vested it in adjoining land, having now in his home ranch four hundred and forty acres of rich and valuable land, on which he successfully pur- sues his favorite occupation. He is extensively and profitably engaged in grain and stock rais- ing, and also has vineyards and orchards, and as a fruit grower is meeting with splendid success, his vines and trees yielding bountiful crops each season. He also manufactures wine.

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 139

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