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 172

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 172

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In Nora, Ill., December 31, 1866, Mr. Clock was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Has- kell, who was born April 12, 1850, in that place, and was educated at Mount Carroll Seminary, in Illinois. They have three children, Fred H., Harry L. and Charles H., who are all engaged in horticulture in Redlands. Mr. Clock was made a Mason in Warren, Ill., transferred to Kedron Lodge of Maysville, now Geneva, Ia., and served as master for seven years, was made a Royal Arch Mason in Hampton, where he served as high priest two terms, and is now a member of Redlands Lodge No. 300, F. & A. M., and Red- lands Chapter, R. A. M. Both himself and wife are members of the Order of Eastern Star. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows and served as noble grand in Geneva, and is a member of Bear Valley Post, G. A. R., of Redlands, in mem- ory of "his days and nights on the battlefield." Politically he is a stanch advocate of Republican principles. .

JEROME CARSON DE ARMOND. When Jerome Carson DeArmond located in San Ber- nardino four years ago he commenced at the bottom in his business, having small quarters and a limited stock, and it speaks well for his ability to be able to say that today he has one of the largest stocks of furniture in the city and is conducting an extensive trade in that line. His birth occurred June 11, 1858, in Ting- ley, Ringgold county, Iowa, the DeArmond family being of French Huguenot extraction. His great-grandfather was born in Ireland and came to America in Revolutionary days in time to take an active part in the war, and both the grandfather, John, and the father, William DeArmond, were natives of Pennsylvania, the latter becoming a pioneer of Ringgold county, Iowa, when a young man. During the gold ex- citement in California he spent three years in this state, arriving in 1849, then returned to Iowa for a period, in 1867 locating in Missouri. In 1890 he again came to the western coast,

this time settling in Sultan, Wash., where he is still residing. His wife, who was before her marriage Adeline Carson, was born in Sanga- mon county, Il1., her father, William Carson, having been an early settler in Illinois, his death finally occurring in Nebraska, while on a visit to his son. Mrs. DeArmond died in Washington. Of their eleven children nine grew to maturity and eight are now living.

The fourth child and second son of the fam- ily, Jerome Carson DeArmond lived until nine years old in Ringgold county, Iowa, then re- moved with his parents to Atchison county, Mo., locating on a farm. He received his edu- cation in the district schools and when eighteen years old joined a party intending to take a drove of cattle to the Black Hills. An Indian scare early decided them not to continue the journey and accordingly young DeArmond pluckily determined to finish the trip alone, and on foot, carrying a supply of food and a blanket in which to wrap himself when he slept. On the way he was captured by the Sioux Indians, who kept him in camp over one night, then released him and allowed him to pursue his way. Arriving in the Black Hills he engaged in mining for a time, then went to Nebraska and farmed until 1879. In that year he located in Leadville, Colo., and again took up mining for a couple of years, after which he journeyed to New Mexico and there joined an engineering corps occupied in sur- veying for the Rio Grande & Southern, or Santa Fe Railway. Two years were employed in this manner, the following twelve months were spent in Missouri, another year in the mines of Gunnison county, Colo., when, in 1884, he entered the San Luis valley in the same state, and the following year he filed on government land and established himself in a farming and stock business. It was while here that Mr. DeArmond was married to Miss Luthera Star- buck, a native of Schuyler county, Mo., and they continued to make their home on the ranch for a number of years. In 1889 he engaged in merchandising in Coryell, Colo., and when the railroad was built to Mosca, that state, he went there to engage in mercantile pursuits, and also filled the position of postmaster, hav- ing the office in his store. He was at the same time interested to some extent in mining operations.

In 1895 Mr. DeArmond removed with his family to western Texas, there sold his teams and outfit and pushed on to New Orleans and Mobile, Ala., and the following spring returned to Gunnison, Colo., and resumed his occupation as merchant and mining man. Two years later he went to Washington and in 1898 became a founder of the Burley Colony of Co-operative

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Brotherhood. Securing three hundred acres of land, he laid out the town of Burley, started numerous industrial mills and factories, and saw the enterprise grow into a success. After four years he went to Tacoma, where for a few months he was again interested in mercan- tile business, and then, in 1902, came to San Bernardino and began his business career here by opening a furniture repairing and tool- sharpening shop. Two months later the growth of the business induced him to lease the build- ing on Third street, now the site of the nata- torium. He met with such good success in the enterprise that in 1904 he was able to buy out Shafer Brothers furniture establishment and has since continued the business, now having three stores with a ground space 75x150 feet, which is necessary to accommodate his large stock of new and second hand goods. His loca- tion is at Nos. 339-341-343 Third street.

Mr. DeArmond owns considerable property, and besides his interests here owns his old home in Mosca. Colo. His four children are all at home, Madge and Gordon S. assisting him in the store, while Clare and Wayland are still in school. Mr. DeArmond has led an interest- ing life, has seen much of the world and is well versed on all matters of general interest. Po- litically his ideas are pronounced and advanced, he being a member of the Socialist party. Al- though his residence in San Bernardino has not been of long standing he holds the highest re- spect of the community in which he lives and is looked upon as one of the most public-spir- ited and substantial of its citizens.

SAMUEL LEFLER, a successful contractor and builder of San Bernardino, is the repre- sentative of an old family long established on American soil, the emigrating ancestor, a H11- guenot, leaving Alsace-Lorraine in 1761 be- cause of religious persecution. The name flour- ished for several generations in New Jersey, in which state was born Jacob Lefler ; the un- eventful years of his boyhood and young man- hood were passed in that location. after which he became a pioneer of Ohio and engaged as a farmer throughout the remainder of his life. In his family was a son, John C., who was born in New Jersey and reared in Ohio, in which lat- ter state he learned the shoemaker's trade. This occupation he followed in young manhood in Lebanon, Ohio, when, in 1852, he removed to Fulton county, Ill., and in the vicinity of Farmington followed agricultural pursuits for a time. Later, in the town of Farmington, he engaged in the prosecution of his trade, also being thus occupied in Lexington, Ill., eventu- ally removing to Pontiac, same state, where he

passed his declining years in peace and qui- etude, retired from the active cares of life. He attained the venerable age of eighty-four years, his death occurring in Pontiac in 1902. His wife, formerly Margaret Murdey, born in Can- ada of English parentage, also passed away in Illinois. Their family of five children attained maturity. four surviving at the present writing, a son, George, who served in the Eleventh Il- linois Cavalry during the Civil war, residing in Pontiac.

The second child in order of birth, Samuel Lefler, was born at Foster Crossing, Warren county, O., April 26, 1847: before his school days began he was taken by his parents to Il- linois and in Farmington received his educa- tion. A mere youth in years at the time of the Civil war, he attempted twice to enlist for service, the second time, in 1864, being accept- ed in Company B, Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, joining his regiment in Memphis and partici- pating in affairs in Arkansas and Mississippi. In the summer of 1865 he served at Grenada, Miss., on provost duty, being mustered out in October of the same year, after which he re- turned to his home in Illinois. During the fol- lowing winter he attended school in Farming- ton, where he subsequently learned the trade of carpenter. In 1869 he was located in Pon- tiac as foreman in his work and was also so occupied in Lexington. It was in 1886 that he first came to California and located in the city of San Bernardino and for five or six years was foreman for builders here, thereafter en- gaging in the building business independently. He has met with success and in the passing vears has enlarged his business very material- ly, in the busiest season employing twenty

men. Among his most important contracts were the erection of the car-barns, rebuilding of the postoffice building, the Andreson and Cartwright buildings, the original Sun office, while many of the finest residences of this city and county are of his construction.

The home of Mr. Lefler, located at Urbita, adjoining San Bernardino, is presided over by his wife, formerly Miss Emma Capps, a native of Farmington, Ill., and a daughter of Dempsey Capps, a miller of that place. They have a family of four sons and one daughter, namely : John D., an apiarist of San Bernardino county ; Frank W., a carpenter engaged with his father ; Charles H., who served in the Spanish-Amer- ican war in Company K, Seventh Regiment California Infantry, and is also a carpenter en- gaged with his father ; Mabel, the wife of Alex- ander Dobbs, of San Bernardino; and Harri- son, at home. Mr. Lefler has manifested his faith in the permanency of the splendid condi- tions of Southern California by investing in

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real estate, owning at the present writing a fruit ranch near Bloomington, this county, in addition to his home property. He has taken an active interest in all public matters since locating in the state, being a member of the San Bernardino board of trade and a principal in the promotion of all movements calculated to advance the general welfare. During the erection of the county jail he served as inspect- or for the county, and has also done consider- able building in the line of public utilities, such as bridges, county hospital building, etc. The family are identified with the religious and so- cial life of the city, Mrs. Lefler being a mem- ber of the Baptist Church, which they liberal- ly support. Mr. Lefler is associated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and is past post commander of Cornman Post No. 57, G. A. R. Although on national issues a stanch Republican he holds locally to the principle of supporting the candidate whom he considers best qualified for the discharge of official duties.

CYRENE KILBOURNE MATTESON. In spite of severe disablements received while fighting for the freedom of the slaves during the Civil war Cyrene Kilbourne Matteson has improved forty acres of raw land in San Ber- nardino county and is now conducting success- ful ranching operations in Highland. He was born November 30, 1837, in Erie, N. Y., his boyhood days being spent upon a farm. He was educated in the public schools and had be- gun to read medicine when the Civil war broke out. Offering his services to his country, his enlistment for three months dated from April 19, 1861, he being a member of the First Reg- iment of Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and five months later he returned home with an honorable discharge. He then re-enlisted in the same company and regiment for three years or during the war, his third enlistment being in the Second Regiment of Wisconsin Volun- teer Cavalry, and his final discharge received at Vicksburg, June 26, 1865. His first assign- ment was in the Fifteenth Army Corps of the Army of Tennessee, and the second in the Six- teenth Army Corps. While in the service he was shot four times, one time by a rebel wo- man. of whom he asked to purchase something to eat. It was also his misfortune to contract small-pox while in the army, and he was con- fined to the pest house in Vicksburg for five months, his regiment being obliged to leave ahead of him at the time of their mustering out. A part of the time he acted as assistant to one of the medical staff, and wherever duty placed him he amply proved his patriotism, bravery and soldierly qualities.

After the close of the war Mr. Matteson en- tered the Eclectic Medical College of Cincin- nati, O., from which he graduated in 1868 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Going at once to Fond du Lac, Wis., he practiced his profession there for one year, in 1869 remov- ing to Iowa and continuing his practice there until 1874. The latter year witnessed his re- moval to Tennessee, where for ten years he followed his profession, and at the end of this time, in 1884, he came to California and pur- chased his present ranch. The land was then unimproved and he built the barns and house and in 1894 set out two thousand peach trees, a part of which subsequently died because of lack of water. He now has a good well and ample irrigating facilities, however, and the orchard is in a thriving condition.

By his first marriage, which occurred in Wis- consin, Mr. Matteson was united with Carrie A., daughter of Hiram and Lucy (Reeves) Robinson, and she became the mother of one child, Hiram C., who is now living in San Bernardino. Mrs. Carrie A. Matteson died March 16, 1869, and on August 3, 1876, Flora Beatrice Spencer became the wife of Mr. Mat- teson. She was born March 19, 1854, in War- ren, Pa., the daughter of Abner and Sarah B. (Oliver) Spencer. Of this union six children were born: Bertha Estella, now Mrs. Arthur Fogler, resides in Santa Monica; May Elsie, who became the wife of Albert Dickens, lives in Ocean Park; Clara Rose, the wife of Mar- ven Fleek, lives in Highland; Lena Edna, now Mrs. Henry Lindeman, resides in Santa Mon- ica; Viola Mary is training to become a nurse in the San Bernardino Hospital ; and Benjamin Harrison resides under the parental roof. Mr. Matteson is a member of Cornman Post No. 57, G. A. R .. in San Bernardino, and was once a Good Templar and later a Patron of Husban- dry. He is a man of enterprising and progress- ive ideas and high principles and by his up- right living has won the entire respect of the community in which he resides.

EDWARD I. STILES. In everything but birth Mr. Stiles may with truth be called a thorough Californian, for he has known no other home than San Bernardino county, whith- er his parents removed from Utah when he was a child seven months old. The parents Amos and Rebecca Wood (O'Brien) Stiles. were both born in New Brunswick, and some time after their marriage came west and set- tled in Utah. It was in the latter state (then a territory) that their four eldest children were born, and of these Edward I. is the only one living, the first two having died in infancy, and

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Rebecca, the third child, January 1, 1892, when thirty-six years of age. The following children were added to the parental family after the removal to California: William Elmer, who lives on the family homestead, which he has managed since the death of the mother; and Rozetta, now Mrs. Eli Sparks, who is a resi- dent of Anaheim, Orange county, Cal. From the time Amos Stiles came to California in 1858 until his death in 1896, at the age of sev- enty-two years, he carried on ranching, first on property which he purchased and now in- cluded in the city limits, and later on thirty- six acres on base line, this latter ranch now be- ing the home of his son, William Elmer. Pol- itically Mr. Stiles was a Republican, and in his religious connections was a member of the Mormon Church. This latter fact was the means of bringing discord into the home, and finally, after the birth of all of their children, a separation followed. Mr. Stiles was subse- quently married to Mrs. Noma Holmes, a wid- ow, who is still living, making her home on East Ninth street, San Bernardino. Mrs. Re- becca Stiles passed away January 11, 1904, at the age of sixty-nine years, having lived to see four of her children attain maturity and fill honorable places in the world.

Edward I. Stiles was born in Spanish Fork, Utah, April 2, 1858. Coming to San Bernar- dino at the age of seven months, he was placed in school as soon as his age would permit, and considering the meager facilities of that day he is a well-informed man. From the fact that his father was a tiller of the soil it was natural that his first work should be along this line, as he had been familiar with it from his earli- est years. Subsequently he drifted into team- ing and later added mining, in both of which occupations he was fairly successful, follow- ing the latter both in California and Nevada. It was in 1881 that he decided to resume the occupation of former years and for the purpose purchased the forty-acre ranch in the outskirts of San Bernardino upon which he now resides. To one untrained the work which lay before him in this wild tract would have seemed in- surmountable, but it was here that his former experience and training proved a valuable as- set. His first step was the erection of a suit- ' able residence for his family, after which he built a barn and made such other improvements as were necessary to a well-conducted ranch. The place is well stocked with fruit trees of various kinds, all of which he himself set out, and in addition to raising fruit he carries on general farming.

A marriage ceremony celebrated January I, 1891, united the lives of Edward I. Stiles and Anna Pasmore, the latter born in San Bernar-

dino June 16, 1872, the daughter of Elisha H. and Elisabeth (Byrd) Pasmore. Mr. and Mrs. Stiles have one child, who bears her mother's name, and was born October 26, 1891. In Mr. Stiles the Independent Order of Foresters have an active and interested member ; twice he has passed all the chairs in his lodge, and four times has been its representative in the Grand Lodge, first at Pomona, second at Stockton, the third time at San Diego, and the last time at Santa Barbara.

REUBEN JAMES ANDERSON is the owner of eighteen acres located a half mile from San Bernardino, on the base line, and de- votes the same to general farming. He con- tracted for this property in 1870, then rough, swampy land, and through successive changes and efforts has brought it to a high state of cultivation. He fenced the property and erect- ed a residence, barns and outbuildings, and up- on the destruction of his home by fire in 1895 he put up his present residence, a neat, con- venient cottage of five rooms, pantry and bath. At the present writing he is putting in a pump- ing plant with his son, C. J., having a good well on the property for irrigation purposes.

A native of the Mohawk valley, New York, Mr. Anderson was born March 29, 1831, a son of William and Lavina (Simmons) Anderson, the former also a native of that state, while the latter was born in Rhode Island. The paternal grandfather, who died when his son was but eleven years old, served in the Revolutionary war. Reuben J. Anderson was reared to the life of a farmer and has devoted the greater part of his mature years to that occupation. The discovery of gold brought him to the Pa- cific coast, and following his arrival in San Francisco, May 5, 1853, he came at once to San Bernardino county, and although he has traveled all over the western states this local- ity has remained his home. For the period of fifteen years he did teaming to and from the mines, and also did some prospecting, in all of which he met with success. For about twelve years he served as school trustee and has al- ways taken a lively interest in the furtherance of movements for the mental or moral better- ment of the community. When he first locat- ed here the medium of exchange was pumpkins, potatoes, slabs, or anything of marketable value, and innumerable other primitive schemes were employed in the interchange of business.

Mr. Anderson has been thrice married, the first ceremony being performed in 1861, and uniting him with Louise Button, who became the mother of two children, Maryette, Mrs. Survis, of San Bernardino; and Lavina Jane,

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who died at the age of ten months. The moth- er of these children died August 10, 1867. In San Bernardino county Mr. Anderson married Elizabeth Mathis, whose death occurred short- ly after their marriage. On the 2nd of May, 1871, he married Elmira Mathis, daughter of John and Sarah (Dowdle) Mathis, and a na- tive of Utah, who came to California with her parents January 4, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Ander- son became the parents of the following chil- dren: Francis Marion ; Anna L., who became the wife of Harry C. Heath and died October 26, 1893, at the age of nineteen years ; William W., of Los Angeles county, who married Maude Jones and has one child, Louis Dale ; Clarence James, of San Bernardino, who mar- ried Maggie Henderson ; Ernest Ingersoll, who married Myrtle Sinclair and had one child, Ern- est McClellan; and Elizabeth Belle, wife of Frank Bragumier, of Los Angeles.

JAMES HENRY WALKER. An active, industrious and energetic business man, James Henry Walker, of San Diego, is widely known in building circles, his work as a contracting plasterer being found in by far the larger number of the more important public buildings and the more modern business blocks and private residences. Skilful in the use of tools, and keeping abreast of the times in his meth- ods, he has gained an enviable reputation throughout this section of the county for the durability and artistic beauty of his work, and as junior member of the firm of Brelin & Walker is kept busily employed. A son of Joseph Green Walker, he was born, Novem- ber 2, 1865, in Hutchinson, McLeod county, Minn., where the days of his boyhood and youth were spent.

Born in Virginia, Joseph G. Walker was brought up and educated in Kentucky. A true patriot in every sense implied by the term, he was loyal to the Union in the time that tried men's souls, and during the Civil war served in the Federal army. Being sent across the lines of the enemy as a spy, he was captured and confined in a rebel prison. Making his escape, he went to Minnesota in the spring of 1864, locating in Hutchinson, where he was for a number of years engaged in agricultural pursuits. Going to Arkansas in 1883, he re- sided first in Eureka, and then in Rogers, from there removing to Blackburn, Okla., where he is now living retired, having as a merchant accumulated a competency. He married Amer- ica Sowards, who was born in old Virginia, and they have two daughters and four sons now living. She comes of English ancestry, being a daughter of Louis Sowards, who was

born, reared and married in Virginia, but sub- sequently settled in Kentucky, where he op- erated a mill, and also ran boats on the Ohio river. Her five brothers served in the Civil war, two being captains of their respective com- panies, and two lieutenants.

The second child of the parental household, James Henry Walker, obtained his early knowl- edge of books in the public schools of Minne- sota, residing there until 1883, when. he went with the family to Arkansas. Having previ- ously commenced learning the plasterer's trade, he continued it there for two years, and then, in 1885, went to Kingman, Kans., where he completed it. His health failing, he was forced to seek a milder and more equable climate, and for that reason, in 1887, located in San Diego. Although his physical strength was weak, his courage was strong, and he immediately began working at his trade, taking small jobs and contracts, which he executed himself. Gradu- ally he grew stronger and more rugged, and at the end of five or six years he was entirely restored to his former vigor, being well and hearty. As a contracting plasterer, he met with good success, and in 1893 entered into partner- ship with Mr. Brelin, and under the firm name of Brelin & Walker has since carried on an ex- tensive and lucrative business. This enterpris- ing firm, whose work is first class in every re- spect, has the reputation of doing nine-tenths of the best plastering done in the city and its suburbs, every builder of importance seeking their contracts. Mr. Walker has accumulated considerable wealth, owning valuable residence property in addition to that which he occupies, at No. 142 Twentieth street.

In 1888, at Kingman, Kans., Mr. Walker married Sarah J. Troutwine, who was born in Ohio, and they have one child, Clyde. For seven successive years Mr. Walker was con- nected with the state militia. In 1888 he en- listed as a private in Company A. Ninth Regi- ment, National Guard, was made sergeant, and at the end of four years, in 1892, was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, and served as such until the regiment was mustered out. He then enlisted in Company B. Seventh Regi- ment, and as a private served until he had completed seven years in the militia. Mr. Walker is a member of the San Diego Cham- ber of Commerce, and belongs to the Fraternal Brotherhood.

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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 172

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