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 176

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 176

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Coming to California on account of an acute throat trouble, Miss Callister located in San Francisco, intending to resume her studies in the medical college while there, but the cli- mate proving too harsh for her, she came to Southern California, for a time residing in Pasadena. Subsequently, in company with Mrs. Smith, she engaged in the real estate business at Venice, and from the very begin- ning has met with decided success. The firm of which she is the head is now connected with Whitcomb, Gibson & Co., of Los An- geles, and is most pleasantly located on Ocean Front, Venice.

A native of Pennsylvania, Lillian D. Smith, nee Draper, was born in Franklin county, a daughter of Simeon and Emma (Castleman) Draper. The family moved when she was young to Rochester, N. Y., where Mr. Draper was successfully employed as a leather dealer until his death. He was influential in busi- ness, and quite prominent as an Odd Fellow. Completing her education at Professor Tay- lor's boarding school, in Syracuse, N. Y., which she attended four years, Miss Draper then went to Minneapolis, Minn., where she resided with a married sister for five years. She was afterwards in Detroit, Mich., with her parents until her marriage with the late John S. Smith. A native of Lexington, Ky., Mr. Smith was educated for a physician in Philadelphia, Pa., and after his marriage was engaged in business in Lexington, Ky., as a registered pharmacist and druggist, carrying on a thriving business until his death. Re- turning to New York after the death of her husband, Mrs. Smith took up her residence once more in Rochester, and subsequently, in company with Miss Callister, was there em- ployed successfully as a florist, as previously mentioned. for four years. In September, 1904, she came with her friend to Los Angeles county, and as junior member of the firm of Callister & Smith is prominently engaged in the sale and transfer of real estate.

OTTO TRAUZETTEL is a striking ex- ample of what a young man can accomplish with perseverance and energy, by improving

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and developing the rich lands of California. He is a "hustler" and far-seeing and has al- ready laid the foundations for a fortune, own- ing a ranch of twenty-three hundred acres, of which all of the tillable land is under cultiva- tion and highly improved. Otto Trauzettel was born in Leipsic, Germany, October IO, 1871, his father, Wilhelm, being a carpenter and builder of that location, where he now re- sides at the age of ninety years. The mother, Wilhelmina (Meach) Trauzettel, was born in Germany and died there at the age of sixty- four years. Of their seven children all are living. Otto Trauzettel was reared in Ger- many and educated in the common schools, remaining at his studies until his was seven- teen years old, when he left home and coming to America made the trip to California via New York City, New Orleans, and El Paso, to Riverside county.

In 1896 he began farming for himself in Moreno valley. Four years later he found himself $900 in debt because of three dry years. Undaunted by this misfortune he went to work for Mr. Kerr as his foreman, contin- uing with him until the spring of 1903 when he purchased the nucleus of his present ranch, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres. He built his home on the knoll where he landed April 24, 1888, and began farming, raising grain and selling wood. He continued to pur- chase land until he owned twenty-three hun- dren acres in one body.

In Riverside Mr. Trauzettel was married to Miss Georgia Woolfolk, a native of Texas, and a daughter of James and Florence (Parmen- ter) Woolfolk, and they have two children, namely : Lornie and Elspeth. Fraternally Mr. Trauzettel is identified with Redlands Lodge No. 341, I. O. O. F., and the Woodmen of the World. He is a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church ; politically he is an ad- vocate of the principles of the Republican party.

WILLIAM J. GRAY. A son of John J. Gray, who served in the Civil war as a brave soldier, William J. Gray was born, June 17, 1877, in Carrolton, Mo., his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Dozier, being a native of Kentucky, and a resident of Los Angeles, Cal .. at the present writing. She has two children living, William J., the subject of this sketch. being the oldest child.

Brought up in Buenavista, Colorado, Will- iam J. Gray received a practical education in the public schools of that town. Going from there to Kansas City, he was employed for some time at mechanical and electrical work,

acquiring valuable knowledge and experience. Returning to Buenavista, Colo., he took a con- tract for building twenty-eight miles of tele- phone lines for an independent company. Completing his work, Mr. Gray went to Den- ver, Colo., and became associated with. the Colorado Telephone Company, working in various departments until 1902, when he re- signed his position and came to Los Angeles, Cal., where he was employed in the city's elec- trical department for about six months. Then, when the Home Telephone Company was es- tablished at San Pedro, Mr. Gray was ap- pointed local manager, and as such superin- tended the building of the line and the plant. He has accepted the position of city electri- cian, and in this capacity is serving with great satisfaction to all concerned.

In Buenavista, Colo., Mr. Gray married Frances Nichols, who was born in Wales, and they have one child Herbert. Fraternally Mr. Gray belongs to the Order of Elks.

SEYMOUR LOCKE WATTS, a native son of California, was born in Pasadena, No- vember 4, 1873, a son of C. H. Watts, the lat- ter a native of Ohio who came to California in 1868 and settled at San Pasqual, where he engaged in farming on the present site of Pasadena. In 1884 he purchased the Califor- nia Stables located on North Main street op- posite the Baker block and there conducted a business for several years. He finally moved to Compton twelve miles south of Los An- geles where he owned a ranch of two hundred and twenty acres devoted to the raising of alfalfa and stock. His death occurred in 1902 at the age of sixty years. His wife, formerly Mittie Locke, was born in Indiana, a daugh- ter of Erie Locke, who brought his family to California in 1868 and engaged as a farmer until his death in Pasadena. Mrs. Watts still survives and lives on the old homestead. She was the mother of four children, namely: H. D. and Seymour L., partners in business ; Daniel P., of Los Angeles : and Carl, at home.

The first eleven years of Seymour L. Watts were passed in the paternal home in Pasadena, when he removed to Los Angeles and passed two years, thence going in 1886 to the farm in the vicinity of Compton. He attended the public schools in the different places in pur- suit of an education and at the same time was trained to the practical duties of a farmer's son. At the age of twenty years he engaged in independent efforts, going to Eastern Wash- ington, where in the Palouse valley he en- gaged in farming for the period of two years. Returning to Southern California he became

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interested in the oil proposition and was em- ployed for about eight years in various fields, among them the Fullerton, Santa Barbara, Summerland, and Santa Monica, being en- gaged in drilling wells for the Union Oil Company, Victor Hall, and Fullerton Oil Company. In 1903 he quit the oil business, and with his brother, H. D., engaged in farm- ing the home place, of which one hundred and seventy-nine acres were in alfalfa. He in- stalled a pumping plant with a sixteen horse- power, with a capacity sufficient to irrigate one hundred and thirty acres. In 1906 he pur- chased his present property, consisting of fifty-two acres, all in walnuts, and has since given his entire time and attention to its inanagement.

In Compton Mr. Watts married Miss Edith Wilber, a native of Northern California, and born of this union is one daughter, Mittie L. Mr. Watts was made a Mason in Anchor Lodge No. 273, F. & A. M., of Compton. In politics he retains the right to cast his vote for the candidate whom he considers best qualified for public office.

E. A. FARRINGTON. California is justly proud of her educational advantages and facil- ities, which compare favorably with those of any other state of the Union, boys and girls alike receiving excellent opportunities for ad- vancing their knowledge. Prominent among the well-known instructors and educators of Los Angeles county is Prof. E. A. Farring- ton, now serving as principal of the Downey High School, a position for which his talents and scholarly attainments eminently qualify him. A son of Christopher C. Farrington, he was born, January 5, 1860, at Franklinville, N. Y.

Born and bred in New York state, Christo- pher C. Farrington has there spent his en- tire life. He is a farmer by occupation, and is now a resident of Chautauqua. He married Susanna Schutz, a native of Germany, and into their household five children have been born, E. A. being the special subject of this sketch. Politically he is a sound Democrat ; fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and religiously both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Epis- copal Church.

Receiving the rudiments of his education in the common schools of Franklinville, E. A. Farrington continued his studies in the Elling- ton Academy, completing his education at Oberlin College, in Oberlin, Ohio. After leaving the academy, he taught school for a while, and while in college taught several

terms, helping to defray his expenses while in that institution. After his graduation, Mr. Farrington continued his professional career, teaching one. year in the Normal College, at Hopedale, Ohio, then going to Fort Scott, Kans., where he taught two years. The fol- lowing year he was superintendent of schools in Burlington, Kans., and for ten years there- after occupied a similar position at Paola, Kans. From there Mr. Farrington went to Salt Lake City, where for two years he was an instructor in Salt Lake College. Coming to California in 1902, he has since followed his profession at Downey, being principal of the high school, which has just been organ- ized. This school is in a most flourishing con- dition, having sixty-three pupils enrolled, with three teachers besides Prof. Farrington. A new building for the school is in process of construction, for the erection of which the city is bonded for $20,000, the contract price being $16,150. The building contains four recitation rooms, an assembly room, two laboratories, a science lecture room, an art room, and commercial rooms. This building is one of the finest and best equipped school buildings in the county, and was erected mainly through the efforts of Prof. Harring- ton, who has labored hard in the interests of the school, which he hopes ere long will be placed on the accredited list.

In 1888, Prof. Farrington married Jennie L. Pond, who was born in Missouri, but was reared and educated in Kansas, where her parents now reside, and they are the parents of two' children, namely: Mabel and E. Dwight. Politically the Professor votes in- dependent of party restrictions; fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and religiously he is a member of the Congregational Church.

J. B. BERRY is truly counted one of the leading citizens of Nordhoff, where he is an extensive property holder, and is as well known all over the state, having resided in various localities and always followed pur- suits which brought him more or less in con- tact with the public. Besides owning a block in the town of Nordhoff, he is proprietor of the Nordhoff City Water Company, and of the hotel known as Berry Villa which is located among the beautiful live oaks which make Nordhoff famous. He comes from good old New England stock his father, Daniel H. Berry, and his mother, Sarah Partington be- fore her marriage, being natives of Maine. The father was a locomotive engineer and was killed in an accident, while his mother still

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lives at her home in Santa Paula. Of the three children in the family but one, J. B., is now living.

Mr. Perry was born in Path, Me., August 19, 1857, and received his education in Brunswick and in Thompson, Va., where he attended the Franklin Home School. He first chose sea- faring as an employment, as so many of Maine's sons have done, but four years at this work decided him that he would try some- thing else, and hearing of the great advant- ages to be found in California he started on an overland trip and arrived in San Francisco September 10, 1876. He crossed the bay to Oak- land and there engaged in the dairy business for one year, then, not quite satisfied with this venture, he decided to go to Mono county where he worked in the mines for a time, then secured a position as driver of a six-horse stage, and for three years gave to his passen- gers as safe and comfortable-if somewhat thrilling-a trip as was possible over the mountainous roads. His next move took him to Ventura county near Santa Paula, where he engaged in ranching and other occupa- tions.

In 1882 he was married to Miss Inez Blum- burg of Boone county, Iowa. He is a Repub- lican in politics, and an interested participant in all subjects of civic, social and religious in- terest in his home community. He is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church and contrib- utes generously to its various benevolences and charitable interests. Altogether he is a valuable citizen and deserving of the respect and esteem which he is universally accorded.

JOHN MATHEWS is a native of Russia, born, April 25, 1867, in Aaronsburg, which was also the birthplace of his parents, John and Catherine Mathews. His father, a pilot by occupation, was accidentally drowned while in the performance of his duty, but his mother is still living at the old home in Russia.

The only son of the parental family of two children. John Mathews changed his name from "Mathias" to its present form when he took out citizenship papers. Brought up in his native town, he attended the common schools until fifteen years of age, when he shipped before the mast on a coasting vessel, which was engaged in trade along the Gulf of Riga. He subsequently visited different European ports, sailing from England, and in 1885 boarded the sailing vessel "Lady Law- rence" at Newcastle, Australia, and came with a cargo of coal to San Pedro, Cal. Deciding to stay in this country, Mr. Mathews went to

San Francisco, where he followed the paint- er's trade for four years. He returned to San Pedro in 1889. Mr. Mathews has acquired considerable wealth, holding title to city prop- erty, and he also owns a gasoline launch, "Ruth," which has a capacity of ten tons.

In San Pedro, Mr. Mathews married Do- lores Machado, who was born in Wilmington, Los Angeles county, of pioneer ancestry. Her father, the late Manuel Machado, came from Portugal to this country, and died in San Pedro. He married Theresa Morales, who was born in San Pedro, and is now a resident of Pomona. Mr. and Mrs. Mathews have three

children, namely : Fritz, Catherine, and Charles. Politically Mr. Mathews is a Re- publican, and fraternally he belongs to the Eagles.

WILLIAM H. H. DINWIDDIE. Promi- nent among the pioneer settlers of San Diego county is William H. H. Dinwiddie, whose large and well appointed ranch is advantage- ously located near Escondido. An able and skilful agriculturist, he has won success in his chosen occupation, by his industry, judicious management and wise investments, becoming one of the largest landholders in this section of the county. A son of the late John Din- widdie, he was born, November 8, 1840, in Washington county, Mo., one of a family con- sisting of six sons and two daughters.

Born and reared in Kentucky, John Din- widdie followed the march of civilization westward, and as a young man settled in Mis- souri, where he was a tiller of the soil for a number of years. In 1850 he came overland to California, having a perilous trip across the plains, having occasional encounters with the Indians, who stole most of the stock which was being driven loose. Settling in the Sacra- mento valley, he entered land, and having cleared and improved a ranch, resided there until his death, at the advanced age of eighty- seven years. His wife was born in Tennes- see, and died at the remarkable age of ninety- seven years, in California. She was a most estimable woman, and a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church, with which she united when young. Two of her six sons are dead; one lives in Sonoma county ; one in the Sacra- mento valley ; and one, William H. H., in San Diego county. In his carlier life the father was a Whig in politics, but in his later years was 'a strong supporter of the principles of the Democratic party.

Coming to California in the tenth year of his age, William H. H. Dinwiddie here com- pleted his early education. Living at home

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until ready to establish himself as a house- holder, he assisted his father on the farm until 1866. Then, after ranching in Yolo county for two years, Mr. Dinwiddie located on his present ranch in San Diego county, taking up a large tract of government land, and at once beginning its improvement. Laboring indus- triously and wisely, he has been very fortu- nate in all of his ventures, and now has a clear title to three thousand, three hundred acres of land, about six hundred acres of which is in Valley Center. In the care and management of this vast tract, Mr. Dinwid- die has the assistance of his sons, who are in- terested with him in the property, and is carrying on an immense business as dairyman and general farmer.

In 1866 Mr. Dinwiddie married Harriet Breedlovem who was born in Missouri in 1850, and was brought by her parents to Cal- ifornia in 1851. Six children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Dinwiddie. Politically Mr. Dinwiddie is a Republican, and for many years rendered excellent service as justice of the peace.

B. W. FINCH. A skilful and practical farmer, B. W. Finch, living near Compton, Los Angeles county, has been actively inter- ested in agricultural pursuits all of his life, and by long years of experience has acquired a thorough knowledge of its various branches. In the management of his ranch, lying in the newly platted town of Hugo, he has shown excellent judgment, and has met with undis- puted success, it being one of the best ap- pointed and most attractive of any in the im- mediate neighborhood. A native, of Mont- gomery county, Va., he was born, November 20, 1851, on the home farm, about sixteen miles east of Christianburg, a son of John William Finch. His grandparents were life- long residents of old Virginia, and were born in Lynchburg.

A Virginian by birth and breeding, John William Finch was brought up on a planta- tion, and during his life was employed in till- ing the soil, serving prior to the war as an overseer. During the Civil war he served as a soldier under Gen. Johnston, belonging to the Fifty-fourth Virginia Regiment, for three years being in active service, and one year be- ing forced to remain out of the field on ac- count of illness. After the close of the con- flict he resumed his former occupation, and was engaged in farming until his death, in 1880. He married America Bradford, who was born in Botetourt, Va., seventy-nine years ago, and is now a resident of California,

making her home with her children. Of their union eleven children were born, namely: B. W., Thomas E., George E., Joseph E., Harry D., Mark L., Robert L., Mary E., Martha C., Lucy J., and Jennie. The mother is a member of the Dunkard Church, to which her husband also belonged.

Beginning life as a farmer, B. W. Finch has continued in his independent occupation ever since, for six years of the time working for wages. Leaving home when about twen- ty-five years old, he farmed on his own ac- count for awhile in his native state, but with- out the most satisfactory results. Deciding upon a complete change, he crossed the con- tinent in 1882, coming to the fertile fields of the San Joaquin valley, and settling in the little town of Ripon, where he lived and labored for six years. Removing with his fam- ily to Los Angeles county in 1888, Mr. Finch rented four hundred acres of land in Puente, and with butt $375.00 at his command started in business for himself, and continued there for eleven years, succeeding so well in his undertakings that he enlarged his operations, before he left having seventeen hundred acres under his supervision. Coming to Compton in 1899, he bought his present ranch of fifty- five acres, and has since devoted himself to general farming and fruit raising. The first year that he settled here he had bad luck, losing his entire crop, but since then he has met with very encouraging success, . raising alfalfa as his principal crop, but paying some attention to the culture of apples, pears, peaches and other fruits common to this re- gion.

In 1876, prior to coming to California, Mr. Finch married Dorthula Pittilo, who was born in Tennessee, on the French Broad river, and they are the parents of two children, namely : Mamie D., wife of E. E. Eaton, of Los An- geles, has one daughter; and William W., who married Grace Adams. Politically Mr. Finch is a straightforward Democrat, and re- ligiously he is a member, with his wife, of the South Methodist Episcopal Church.

H. FOUSSAT. Born and reared in a for- eign land, H. Foussat came to California when a young man, and as a pioneer settler of San Diego county has contributed largely towards its development and progress. As an agriculturist he is meeting with marked success, having a finely improved and pro- ductive homestead, on which he is enjoying all the comforts of life, and as a loyal and faithful citizen of his adopted country is es- teemed and respected by all. A son of Romone

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Foussat, he was born, February II, 1845, in France, where he was bred and educated.

Born in France, Romone Foussat was there employed as a tiller of the soil during his en- tire life, he and his wife, Revera Francisco Foussat, spending their days in their native country. They were honest, God-fearing peo- ple, and faithful members of the Catholic Church. Of the three sons born of their union, two have passed to the life beyond, one of them dying in France, and one in California.

H. Foussat left home and country when about twenty-three years old, emigrating to the United States, the reputed land of peace and plenty. He came by way of Cape Horn to California, arriving in San Francisco, after a voyage of two months and two days, on April 4, 1868. For three years he remained in that vicinity, working on a ranch for a year, and in a laundry two years. Locating in San Diego county in 1871, Mr. Foussat was em- ployed as a sheep herder for five years for one man, and was subsequently engaged in sheep raising on his own account for ten years, pasturing his sheep wherever he found good grazing. Desirous then of locating perma- nently, he took up a government tract of land consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, near San Luis Rey. Working energetically, he developed the land from its primitive con- dition, and having by means of thrift and economy accumulated a little capital invested it wisely, and is now the owner of a well im- proved grain ranch of seven hundred and eigh- ty acres. In addition to general farming, Mr. Foussat is engaged in dairying to some ex- tent, keeping about twenty cows, from his dairy deriving a good annual income.

In 1887, Mr. Foussat married Dolores O. Compo, a native of Michigan, and into their houshold three children have been born. namely: Frank, is at school; Fostenia, and Romone. Politically Mr. Foussat is an ad- herent of the Democratic party, and religious- ly both he and his estimable wife are members of the Catholic Church at the Mission.

W. M. GRAY. In the suburbs of the pleas- ant village of Gardena, ten miles southwest of Los Angeles, lies the ten-acre tract owned by W. M. Gray, and devoted to the raising of alfalfa, vegetables, strawberries and dew- berries. While successful to an encouraging degree in all of his enterprises, he is best known for the high quality of the dewberries shipped from his ranch. This berry, which is known as the Gardena, excels in productive- ness and ripens early, resists frost better than the blackberry, and produces a sure crop of

large jet black fruit. In the season of 1902-03 the crop produced on one-half acre of this ranch aggregated five hundred and seventeen crates of thirty boxes each, and the average price per crate was $1.55, making a total of $801.35. This remarkable result is due not only to the superior quality of the berry, but also to the great care taken by the owner in the handling of the plants. Experience has taught him just when to plant and when to irrigate, how far apart to have the rows and the kind of soil best adapted to the plant. The success of his venture has attracted at- tention, and he has received many orders for plants, filling orders for the Gardena dewberry, also for the logan berry, the Cuthburt rasp- berry, and several varieties of strawberries that have proved to be suited to California soil.

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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 176

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