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 147

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

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JOSEPH JONES. If in a degree worthy of praise success has crowned the efforts of Mr. Jones, this gratifying result may be at- tributed to his own unaided and ceaseless appli- cation from early childhood through all the years of manhood's prime. In his boyhood he had little to encourage and none to aid him. His parents, Edward and Jane (Williams) Jones, were poor and there were thirteen chil- dren in the family. Hardships were their com- mon lot and grim want often hovered near their humble door. In the mining district of Wales where they lived the wages were meager and each child was obliged to work as soon as old · enough to earn a few pennies. Of the thirteen children three died in infancy ; five of the sons came to the United States and met in this coun- try a success impossible in their native land. Joseph, who was born in Wales October 27, 1838, was only eight years old when he was 'sent to work in a woolen mill near home, and there he toiled day after day, receiving only the most meager wages, and deprived of what now would be considered the necessities of exist- ence, yet cheered by family affection to bear trials difficult for one of tender years to en- dure.

While still quite young Joseph Jones deter- mined to come to the United States in the hope of securing an environment more favor- able for success. In 1856 he landed in New York City and from there proceeded to Illinois, where he worked on a farm in Marshall county about two years. Afterward he worked for a similar period in mines near St. Louis, and then returned to Illinois, where he worked in the mines of Randolph county, continuing in the same position from 1859 until 1878 with the exception of three years spent in California. From Illinois he moved to Minnesota and took up farm pursuits, in time becoming the owner of an improved farm of three hundred and fifty-five acres. After ten busy and somewhat

profitable years on the Minnesota farm, he sold the land and in 1888 came to California, set- tling at Oceanside in order to give his chil- dren the advantages of the excellent schools of that town. Meanwhile he purchased one hundred and sixty-two acres in San Luis Rey valley, where in 1893 he erected a residence and established his home. Instead of devoting his attention to a specialty he has engaged in mixed farming, and has raised cattle and hogs, has conducted a small dairy business, has raised grain, and to some extent has been interested in market gardening and in the raising of fruit.

The marriage of Mr. Jones took place in Illi- nois in 1869 and united him with Ann Talitha Mckenzie, who was born and reared in Ran- dolph county, that state. They are the parents of three children, Nancy, J. E. and D. E. The daughter married Walter Myers, a stock-raiser near Santa Ana, and the sons are living in San Diego county. In his political views Mr. Jones is a believer in socialism and holds that the many evils threatening our body politic today might be alleviated by a practical ex- periment with the doctrines he espouses. While living in Illinois he was made a Mason in 1870 and now affiliates with Silver Gate Lodge, F. & A. M., at San Diego. Though not identified with any denomination he is in sympathy with religious work and was reared by his parents in the Presbyterian faith.

JOHN SULLIVAN. In his work as rancher and dairyman John Sullivan has acquired both a financial success and a high position among the esteemed and respected residents' of San Bernardino county, his well-known integrity and demonstrated benevolence winning him a wide friendship. He owns a ranch of fifty acres devoted to general farming and dairy purposes, twenty Jersey cows forming his dairy herd. the butter produced being disposed of in local markets.

A native of Ireland, John Sullivan was born June 12, 1847, and in public and private institu- tions in his native country he received his edu- cation. While still a youth he decided to im- migrate to the new world and landed in New York City in due time. Going at once to the farming districts of that state, he followed the occupation to which he had been trained from early childhood. After four years spent in New York state he went to Montreal, Canada, from which point he came to California via the Isthmus of Panama in 1868. Disembarking at San Francisco, he soon afterward came to Southern California, becoming one of the pio- neers in Little Bear valley, San Bernardino

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county, and in the mountains he engaged in the lumber business. After three years in that locality he settled in the city of San Bernar- dino, but continued to conduct his sawmill for a time, finally, however, purchasing the land upon which he has since carried on his farming and dairying interests. In addition to general agricultural pursuits he also raises horses to some extent.

Mr. Sullivan and his sister, the latter a resi- dent of Alameda county, are the only survivors of a family of six children born to their parents, James and Mary (Castello) Sullivan, both of whom are now deceased. In New York City, in 1868, John Sullivan was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Enright, a native of Ire- land, and born of this union are the following children : Mary, who married A. L. Casey, of Colton, and has five children ; Lizzie, who mar- ried John McInarny, of Los Angeles, and has one child: Nora, who married R. T. Burr, of Los Angeles, and has one child; Kate, who married A. F. Giroux, of Santa Monica, and has one son ; John James; and Ellen and Eve- lyn. Mrs. Elizabeth Sullivan died in 1888, and for his second wife Mr. Sullivan married Rose E. Flannigan, a native of Ohio, but a resident of California since 1890, the year of her mar- riage to Mr. Sullivan. They have two children, Genevieve and Charles Edward. The family are members of the Catholic Church, of San Bernardino. Politically Mr. Sullivan is an ad- herent of the principles advocated in the plat- form of the Democratic party, although he is very broad-minded in the matter of local af- fairs and reserves the right to cast his ballot for the man whom he considers best qualified for the discharge of public duties. For the past twenty-five years he has served as a mem- ber of the school board, for ten years acting as clerk of that body. He is distinctly public spirited and alive to the advancement of the community's best interests, and is named among the best citizens of this section.

ALFRED H. TILTON, of San Bernardino, has a fine ranch of one hundred and fifty acres on South Waterman avenue, of which one hun- dred acres are devoted to the cultivation of barley and oats, and fifty acres at present are used as pasture, but it is his intention to de- vote it all to alfalfa raising in the near future. In addition to the interests just mentioned he also raises horses. Mr. Tilton is a native of New Hampshire, and was born in Bridgewater May 22, 1870, one of five children born to his parents, Hiram S. and Lydia P. (Worthen) Tilton, both also natives of Bridgewater, N. H. The eldest child in the parental family, a

son, died at the age of thirteen months. The next child, Della, born May 2, 1864, became the wife of Daniel Whittemore in January, 1896, and still resides in Bridgewater. Alfred H. and Alice M. were born May 22, 1870, the former being the subject of this sketch; the latter was married in July, 1893, and has one son, Harold Tilton Breck, who was born April 2, 1895. Frank H. was born April 4, 1877, and in September, 1898, was married to Cora G. Marston. Until October of 1904 the father continued to live on the farm which he pur- chased in his early married life, at that time selling the property to his son Frank. Follow- ing this, Mr. and Mrs. Tilton, accompanied by their daughter, Mrs. Breck, and her son, Har- old, came to California, residing at Perris until August, 1906, when they came to San Ber- nardino and are now making their home on Waterman avenue.

Alfred H. Tilton received a preliminary edu- cation in the public schools of Bridgewater, supplementing this by a course in the New Hampton literary institution and graduating from the business college. His first independ- ent employment was in Boston, as clerk in the veneer store of Johnson Brothers, but as he did not care particularly for the work he re- turned home after a couple of years, and the following three years were spent on the paren- tal farm. February 10, 1897, he formed do- mestic ties by his marriage with Miss Eva S. Cummings, who was born in Ashland, N. H., May 26, 1876, the daughter of S. B. and Lucina E. (Draper) Cummings, who were born re- spectively in New Hampton, N. H., February 3. 1851, and Plymouth, N. H., May 14, 1852. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cummings oc- curred November 11, 1874, and thereafter they lived on a farm in Ashland, Mr. Cummings also dealing in agricultural implements and dairy goods. In 1905 he disposed of his hold- ings in the east and came to California, locating first at Perris, and later in San Bernardino, and with his wife now makes his home on D street. During her girlhood Mrs. Tilton was educated in the public schools of Ashland, graduating from the high school in 1891. She also received instruction in painting in oil from local artists, as well as in Worcester, Mass., besides which she learned the milliner's trade. Mr. and Mrs. Tilton have one daughter, Grace Cummings, who was born at Ashland, N. H., October 2, 1899. After their marriage Mr. Tilton purchased a farm in the vicinity of Ash- land, but five years later, in 1901, he sold out and came to California, locating at once in the vicinity of Perris, Riverside county. There he made a specialty of raising grain and hay, farming between three hundred and seven hun-

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

dred and fifty acres in the different years. In 1903 he purchased a twenty-acre ranch near Perris, but he now rents this property. In 1905 he purchased his present ranch, near San Ber- nardino. Fraternally Mr. Tilton belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of Cardigan Lodge in Bristol, N. H., in which he has served as warden and con- ductor. He also belongs to the Grange in New Hampshire, and in his political sympathies is a stanch Republican.

MARVIN BEMISS HIATT. Among the in- dustrious, persevering and thrifty men who have taken an active part in the industrial develop- ment of San Diego is Marvin B. Hiatt, a well known builder and contractor. Beginning life at the foot of the ladder, without means or in- fluence, he has step by step ascended the rungs of prosperity, until now he is an honored and esteemed member of society, and one of the most respected citizens of his community. A son of Caleb Hiatt, he was born, March 17, 1837, in Rainsboro, Highland county, Ohio. His pater- nal grandfather, who was of German descent, and belonged to the Society of Friends, spent the larger part of his life in North Carolina, settling there when a young man.

Born and brought up in North Carolina, Caleb Hiatt, who was public-spirited and patriotic, served as a soldier in the war of 1812, enlisting before he attained his majority. Subsequently settling in Highland county, Ohio, he followed his trade of a cabinet-maker, and for many years was engaged in the manufacture of furniture. Investing then his money in land, he carried on general farming in Highland county until his death, February 28, 1849, at the age of fifty-six years. He married Elizabeth Knight, who was born near Lynchburg, Va., and died in Ohio. Her father, Joshua Knight, was a pioneer build- er of Virginia, being in partnership with his brother, who was a stone mason. Removing to Cincinnati, Ohio, he built the Broadway hotel, the first hotel erected in that city.

Until after the death of his father, in 1849, Marvin B. Hiatt lived on the home farm, attend- ing the common school during its brief terms. He subsequently entered the employ of his un- cle, James Knight, a newspaper agent, and for two years sold and delivered the daily papers. As soon as old enough he began learning the carpenter's trade, serving a full apprenticeship, and the ensuing five years was engaged as a contractor in Trov, Ohio. Coming from there to San Diego in January, 1888, he continued that occupation, the first year that he was here doing $40,000 worth of carpenter work. In his work he has met with success, having his full share of

the building and contracting of this vicinity. The family home is at No. 335 Webster avenue.

In Cincinnati, Ohio, Mr. Hiatt married Mar- garet Clough, who was born in Troy, Ohio, a daughter of William Clough, and granddaugh- ter of Jeremiah Clough, a Revolutionary soldier. William Clough was born in Virginia, learned the trade of a stone and brick mason, after which he removed to Troy, Ohio, where he lived a few years. He subsequently settled in Ken- tucky, and there spent his last days, dying in Covington. He was a soldier of the war of 1812. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah McCarthy, was born in Kentucky, coming from a Maryland family of prominence, and died in Troy, Ohio. She bore her husband ten children, of whom two are living, Mrs. Hiatt being the youngest child. Mr. and Mrs. Hiatt are the parents of four children, namely : Willis, a mill- er in Indiana; Ellsworth, of San Diego, a car- penter; Grant, working with his father; and Harry, a blacksmith, living in Lowell, Ariz. Mr. Hiatt belongs to the Master Carpenters' As- sociation, of which he is a charter member. Po- litically he is a Socialist. Like his ancestors he has served his country in time of need. On September 22, 1864, while living in Ohio, he en- listed in Company C, One Hundred and Eighty- first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served, under General Schofield, in the Twenty-third Army Corps, with which he remained until mustered out, and was honorably discharged, July 14, 1865, at Salemburg, N. C.

JAMES MILLER. As superintendent of the Santa Fe steam laundry in San Bernardino James Miller holds a prominent position in business circles in this city. The plant is one of the largest in this part of the state outside of the city of Los Angeles and draws a liberal support from San Bernardino and the sur- rounding country, as well as securing work from various points in Arizona. Mr. Miller is a native Canadian, his birth having occurred in Galt, Ontario, and he being the third from the youngest in a family of ten children. His father, who was born in Scotland, removed in an early day to Ontario, where he followed the occupation of farmer, and in which province he still resides. The mother, who was before her marriage Esther Aitken, and is now de- ceased, was of Scotch parentage, her father, Robert Aitken, having also become a pioneer farmer in Canada. The elder Millers were ad- herents of the faith of the Presbyterian Church, exerting a beneficial and elevating influence upon all with whom they came in contact. Two sons beside James and one daughter have homes in California; George is vice-president

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of the Troy Laundry Company in Los Angeles ; Robert is a farmer near San Bernardino; and Mary resides in the latter named place.

Reared on a farm and educated in the public schools, when sixteen years of age, James Mil- ler began to occupy himself as an independent farmer in Ontario and continued to pursue that work until 1896, when he came to California and engaged in agriculture. The following year he entered the employ of his brother in the San Bernardino laundry, devoting the suc- ceeding five years to that work and acquiring a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of the business. In 1903, in company with Mr. Strawser, he leased the Santa Fe steam laun- dry. a year later purchasing the plant and in various ways adding to its equipment to meet the needs of an ever-increasing business. Among other improvements was the sinking of a three hundred and twenty-five foot artesian well, the making of a large storage reservoir, and the installation of modern pumping ma- chinery. Mr. Miller is treasurer of the firm.

Mr. Miller belongs to

the Southern California Laundrymen's Association and the San Bernardino Board of Trade, and is actively interested in the development of this section of the state. Religiously he holds membership in the First Presby- terian Church, and politically advocates Republican principles when applied to national affairs. He was made a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows in Token Lodge No. 290, in San Bernardino, and also belongs to the Encampment here; is a member of the Rebekah lodge, and belongs to the Independent Order of Foresters in Glenmorris, Ontario. As a man of high principles, honesty and integrity, he is greatly esteemed throughout the com- munity.

AMOS H. BEMIS. The advantages of San Bernardino county early attracted many settlers within her borders, and among those whose fore- sight and sagacity led them to locate in this sec- tion of Southern California was the family of which Amos H. Bemis is a member. He is one of the substantial and well-to-do ranchers in this section and creditably sustains the reputation for honor and integrity and square dealing in all matters which his father handed down to him. Amos W. Bemis, the father of Amos H., was born June 3. 1828, in Jefferson county, N. Y., and when eight years old began the westward march with his parents, who remained in Coun- cil Bluffs, Iowa, about two years, the death of the grandfather occurring during this time. His widow accompanied the family to San Bernar- dino, where she died many years later. From

Council Bluffs the family moved on to Salt Lake City, where they remained for several years. Here the son was married to Miss Julia Mc- Cullough, who was born near Buffalo, N. Y., her father having been a member of the Mormon battalion which came to California and New Mexico, helped drive out the Mexican governor of the former state and build the old fort at Los Angeles in 1847. Mr. Mccullough left Los An- geles in company with another man, starting out with three horses, but they encountered the In- dians at an early stage of the trip, lost two of their horses in the skirmish and were obliged to make the rest of the trip to his home in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on foot. He later removed to Utah and freiglited from Los Angeles to South- ern Utah. Mr. and Mrs. Bemis came to Cali- fornia in 1854, later returned to Utah for a visit, and in 1856 joined the train of emigrants which followed the one massacred at Mountain Mead- ows and reached San Bernardino in the fall, after undergoing many hardships. During the first trip the family consisted of the grandmother of A. H., her seven sons and three daughters. In the course of the journey they ran out of water and almost perished from thirst, at one time being obliged to drink from the pools at the roadside filled by a sudden shower.

Arriving at their destination the father pur- chased a two hundred and twenty-five acre ranch from the Mormon elders and made his home on the place until his death May 1, 1905, when he was nearly seventy-seven years old. The mother died in 1893, at the age of sixty-six years, her burial occurring on the forty-eighth anniversary of the settlement of the family in this county. They were the parents of ten children, six of whom are living and have homes in this county. Frances 1., the wife of Milo Brooks; Amos H .; Levi; Ervin A., who married Adelaide Osborne ; Clarissa and Clarina, twins who died young; Wilson J .; George, who died at the age of twen- ty-one years ; Loren M., and Esther, who died in infancy.

The birth of Amos H. Bemis occurred Sep- tember 27, 1858, in San Bernardino county, where he received the advantages of a common school education, and after his studies were completed assisted his father on the ranch un- til twenty-one years old. At that age he started on an independent business career, buying a claim of one hundred and sixty acres from the man who had originally homesteaded it. Mr. Bemis brought it to a high state of improvement and now has twenty acres in sweet and navel oranges, ten acres in lemons, ten acres in apri- cots, and a five-acre vineyard, the rest of the land being cultivated and planted to grain crops. It is his intention, however, to ultimately have the entire ranch planted to fruit. He owns ten

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

shares in the Rialto Water Company, from which he has sufficient water to irrigate sixty-five acres.

By his marriage, May 28, 1884, Mr. Bemis was united with Miss Jennie Leedom, a native of Iowa, and the daughter of Andrew Leedom, an early pioneer in California. Of this union six children were born: Frank, Katie, Fred (who died when five years old), Isabelle, Nellie and Clarence. Mr. Bemis is a member of Arrow- head Parlor No. 110, N. S. G. W., and belongs to Token Lodge No. 290, I. O. O. F., at San Ber- nardino, of which he is past grand. He is a strong advocate of the principles of the Repub- lican party. Being considered an expert on roads he was appointed road overseer by the super- visors. He is actively interested in the promo- tion of enterprises tending to upbuild his section of the state, and as one of the public-spirited citizens of San Bernardino county is held in the highest esteem by all who know him.

MARCUS L. FRINK. One of the extensive ranchmen of San Bernardino county, located near Bryn Mawr, is Marcus L. Frink, who is a member of one of the oldest pioneer families in California and in his own right holds the highest respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens. He is a native son of California, having been born Marclı 14, 1860, in San Bernardino county, the son of Horace M. and Polly A. (DeWitt) Frink. His mother was a native of Indiana and came with her grandfather, Martin Potter, to San Ber- nardino, where, in 1857, she was married to Mr. Frink. The father, who was born May 31, 1831, in New York, was the son of Jefferson Frink, an accomplished drummer, and after securing his education and learning the mason trade, started west, stopping first in Illinois, later going to the mining sections of Missouri. In his travels he met Brigham Young, with whom he later had business relations, and as driver of one of the wagons in the train was one of the first persons to reach Salt Lake City in 1847. He did not re- main in Utah, however, but returned to Mis- souri for a time, and then pushed his way to the western coast, reaching Hangtown (now Placerville) in 1852. He remained in that sec- tion of the state for two years, and in 1854 came to San Bernardino, where he and his brother secured three hundred and twenty acres of land in the San Timoteo valley, at what is now El- casco. There they raised stock until 1866, when Horace M. sold out, having by that time accumu- lated about sixteen hundred head of cattle. In 1862 he acted as guide to the United States troops under Captain Prentice, on the march from San Bernardino to Fort Yuma, he being thoroughly familiar with the lay of the country in that direction. He also discovered the springs

now known as Frink Springs, which became a favorite watering place for travelers. In 1867 he purchased the Wallace place, comprising one hundred acres of land in old San Bernardino, where he lived until his death, July 28, 1874. Three of the seven children in the parental fam- ily are now living, Alonzo M., Marcus L. and Polly A., the latter the wife of H. F. Gansner. The mother is still living on the home place at the age of seventy years.

After completing his studies in the common schools of San Bernardino county, Marcus L. Frink worked on the home ranch until his fath- er's death, and since that time he and his brother, Alonzo M., have been jointly interested in the ownership of their real estate. They have a ranch of one hundred and thirteen acres in San Bernardino county, forty acres of which is de- voted to seedling, navel and valencia oranges, and the remainder to grain and alfalfa crops. A second ranch, located in Riverside county, com- prises one hundred and ninety-three acres, which with the exception of a five acre peach orchard is given over entirely to grain and hay raising. Mr. Frink came to the place on which he now resides in 1867, and he was born on that part of the land which was formerly used as a race track. He is a member of Token Lodge No. 290, I. O. O. F., at San Bernardino, and be- longs to Redlands Parlor, N. S. G. W. Politic- ally he is a believer in the principles of the Republican party, and has served as a member of the board of school trustees of his district.

By his marriage in 1880 at San Bernardino Mr. Frink was united with Samantha C. Wilson, a native of that city, and the daughter of Joseph Wilson, who was originally from Ohio, and set- tled in California in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Frink have become the parents of seven children, three of whom died in infancy, those now living being, Lena A., Amy (the wife of G. A. Murphy, of San Bernardino), Milton J. and Howard L.

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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 147

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