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 182

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

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nardino county and located on his present place near Highgrove, and has lived here ever since. When he bought the ranch the orange trees were seven years old, so the trees are now in full bearing and yield him a very fine income, Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, and politically affiliates with the Socialist party, having advanced views on all social and civic subjects. He is an en- ergetic and enterprising young man and has gained many friends in this section during his residence here.

SCHOLLE BROTHERS. Not far from the village of El Rio, Ventura county, lies the ex- tensive ranch owned and managed by the Scholle brothers, thrifty German citizens, whose participation in agricultural affairs has been beneficial to the country in general by way of proving the possibilities of both soil and climate, but more particularly to the coun- try round about El Rio, where their success has stimulated others to undertake similar ef- forts, and the raising of beans is now one of the most dependable sources of income in this part of the county.

Anton and Frances (Borchard) Scholle, both of whom were born in Germany, came to the United States in 1884, some time after the birth of their four children, and located on a small ranch in Ventura county, Cal. Here they rounded out their lives, the father pass- ing away at the age of fifty-five, and the mother surviving until sixty years of age, both dying in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church.

The eldest of the brothers, John Scholle, was born in Germany September 23, 1860, and by the time he had reached his fifteenth year his school days were over and he had begun to learn a trade, in accordance with the laws of his native country. He became proficient as a brick mason, but did not reap much prac- tical benefit from his years of training, for at the age of twenty-two years he came to the United States, where his efforts have always been along agricultural lines. Coming direct to Ventura county, he rented land for two years, but finally was enabled to become a land owner, purchasing two hundred and four acres of the land which he now owns in partnership with his brother.

Ignatz Scholle is also a native of the Father- land, and was born September 30, 1869. When fourteen years of age, instead of remaining in his native land and learning a trade, he came to the United States and in Ventura county engaged in ranching. finally purchasing one hundred and two acres not far from the tract which his brother. John had purchased a short

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time before. Later he purchased a tract of eighty-four acres. All of the land owned by the brothers, comprising about four hundred and fifty acres in the aggregate, is cultivated in partnership, and is devoted to the raising of beans exclusively, their crops averaging twen- ty sacks to the acre.

In 1898 Ignatz Scholle was united in mar- riage with Theresa Leidle, who was also a native of Germany, but has been a resident of California since a child of two years. Her father, Michael Leidle, is still living and makes his home on his ranch in Los Angeles county.

C. E. SMITH. In tracing the geneology of this retired business man of Downey it is learned that the branch of the family which he represents early settled in the south and for several generations remained along the At- lantic coast beiow Mason's and Dixon's line. Some time during early life his father, John W., left his native North Carolina and crossed the state line into Virginia, where he married Miss S. E. Leftwich, a native of the Old Do- minion and a woman of mild and gentle char- acter. Five sons and five daughters were born of their union, one of these being C. E., whose birth occurred in Bedford county, Va., Novem- ber 20, 1836. When he was a child of seven years the father died, leaving the large family dependent upon the mother's efforts. About 1847 they loaded their effects in a wagon and traveled across the country to Missouri, where thev took up land in Pettis county. The moth- er continued to reside in that state during the balance of her life and died in Boonville, where her body was laid to rest. In religion she was a sincere member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and reared her children in that faith. One of her sons came to California as early as 1850 and seven of the family are still living.

The children being orphaned at an early age. they were forced to earn their own liveli- hood and were deprived of the advantages they desired. From his earliest recollections the life of C. E. Smith was one of sturdy toil. Assum- ing responsibilities at an early age, he devel- oped traits of self-reliance helpful to him in later days. The first work in which he en- gaged was that of freighting across the plains, which occupation was then of importance ow- ing to the great flow of emigration westward. During 1857 he freighted to Salt Lake and from that time until 1860 he served as wagonmas- ter for a government train across the plains. At the opening of the Civil war he gave his sympathy and help toward the people among whom his life had been passed and enlisted in Company I. Wood's Battalion, Shelby's Brig-

ade, Price's Division, C. S. A., with which he participated in the first battle at Wilson creek south of Springfield, Mo., and in the three days' siege at Lexington, Mo.

The war having ended, Mr. Smith took up farming pursuits in Missouri and continued in that state 1intil 1875, when he disposed of his possessions there and removed to California. For the first four years he carried on a sheep business at Anaheim, but at the expiration of that time he sold his sheep and came to Dow- ney, where for two years he engaged in gen- eral farming, buying his present property of seven acres and establishing his family there- on. For two years he carried on a livery bus- iness at Ontario, but then returned to Downey, where he conducted a mercantile store until his retirement from business in 1903. Though not prominent in politics nor solicitous of of- ficial positions, he has firm convictions upon political questions and supports Democratic principles. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while in religious views he and his family for years have given their support to the Christian Church. While still living in Missouri he was united in marriage with Miss Bettie De Laney, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Samuel De Laney, who came to California in 1850 and remained for a few years. After a long and happy married life Mr. Smith was bereaved by the death of his wife, who passed away in 1894 and was buried in the Downey cemetery. Four children survive her, namely: Carrie, who married Henry A. Scott, of Downey ; Elma, who is a teacher of physical culture and elocu- tion in Los Angeles; Leslie L. C., assistant secretary of state in Ohio; and Bettie E., wife of J. B. Cushon, a jeweler engaged in business in Martin, Tenn., Mr. and Mrs. Cushon being the parents of one child.

HON. EUGENE S. TOMBLIN. A man of untiring energy and great business ability, Hon. Eugene S. Tomblin is numbered among the citizens of prominence and influence in Ocean Park, which has been developed in a large measure through his forethought and sagacity. He is an extensive landholder in this section of Los Angeles county, and as head of the firm of Tomblin & Robinson, real estate dealers, is carrying on a substantial business. A son of Ira Tomblin, he was born in Albion, N. Y., of honored New England stock, Grandfather Tomiblin having been born and reared in Vermont.

Having completed his studies in the pub- lic schools of Albion, Eugene S. Tomblin en- tered the classical department of the State

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Normal School at Brockport, N. Y., where he was graduated with the class of 1863. He was subsequently. engaged in farming in his home town for about ten years, when, in 1873, he removed to Emerson, Mills county, Iowa, where he was successfully employed as a druggist for fourteen years. Selling out his property there early in 1887, he came to Cali- fornia, locating in March, of that year, in Tustin, Orange county, where he embarked in business as a fruit grower, having an orange grove of seventeen acres. Disposing of that ranch in 1890, he settled in Siskiyou county, where he assisted in organizing the Shasta County Mineral Spring Company, of which he was a director, and the manager for eight years. Under his able supervision, about $200,000 was wisely spent in building trails, cottages and hotels, and an enormous trade throughout Northern California was estab- lished.

Resigning his position as manager of the company, Mr. Tomblin established a branch office in Los Angeles in November, 1898, and in this part of the state developed a good busi- ness, which he sold out in 1903, at the same time disposing of his stock in the Shasta Min- eral Springs Company. For the past four years he has been a resident of Ocean Park, and since March, 1903, has been actively identified with its real estate interests. He was instrumental in forming the East Ocean Park Land Company, of which he is now president. and which developed one hundred and thirty-six acres of land adjoining the city. In 1904 he formed a partnership with Mr. Robinson under the firm name of Tomblin & Robinson, having a real estate and rental of- fice at No. 133 Pier avenue, and is carrying on an extensive and lucrative business. He has acquired large property interests in Ocean Park and vicinity, and also owns city prop- erty in Los Angeles, and farm lands in Tu- lare county.

In Chicago, Ill., Mr. Tomblin married Anna. L. Shipman, who was born in Pennsylvania, the descendant of an old and honored fam- ily, and they are the parents of two children, Allan E. and Hazel A. Politically Mr. Tom- blin is a Republican, and while a resident of Siskiyou county represented his district in the legislature. Fraternally he is a Mason and an Elk.

O. S. WALTER. From the time of his ar- rival in California in '1896 until his death in 1905, Mr. Walter was identified with the ranch- ing interests of the vicinity of Ventura. He was born in Hastings, Oswego county, N. Y.,

November 24, 1843, his parents being Silas and Lucy (Laine) Walter, they, too, being natives of the Empire state.

After completing his studies in the common schools of Oswego county Mr. Walter be- came interested in agricultural affairs, first working on his father's farm, but later assum- ing the ownership and management of a farm of his own. For a time this satisfied his ambition, but like many others he fell a vic- tim to the western fever, relief for whichi could not be found short of Wisconsin. From there he scon afterward removed to Minne- sota, where he found opportunity of employ- ment in several lines. Work at the cooper's trade gave him employment while he was in search of a suitable location to purchase a farm. This he found in Cass county, and in connection with it he ran a general merchan- dise store in Green Valley, in the same coun- ty. Coming to California in 1896 he came direct to Ventura county, his first work here being as a farm hand on the Sexton ranch. He subsequently purchased the ranch of six- teen and one-half acres not far from Ventura on which the remainder of his life was spent. This he planted to beans exclusively, though his acreage was not large its careful cultivation brought its yield to a point that would admit of its comparison with many ranches of twice the size.

During his young manhood Mr. Walter en- tered the service of his country, witnessing and participating in many of the hard-fought battles of the war. among them the first bat- tle of Bull Run. He went to the front as a member of Company E, One Hundred and Tenth New York Volunteer Infantry, and received his honorable discharge after three years of faithful service. About this time, in 1865, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary F. Benton, born in New York, the daughter of Rev. R. Benton, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal denomination. Mrs. Walter's father and mother lived to reach the ages of seventy and seventy-two years, re- spectively, and of their ten children she is the only one now living. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Walter. During young man- hood Mr. Walter joined the Odd Fellows, and during his residence in Minnesota was af- filiated with the lodge of that order in Mar- shall. In memory of the days spent in his country's service he joined the Grand Army post in Ventura, around whose campfires he enjoyed meeting with comrades of long ago. He answered his last earthly roll-call Novem- ber 22, 1905, leaving to mourn his death a devoted wife and five children, besides numer- ous friends, who had learned to love him for

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his kindly spirit and many charitable deeds. Mrs. Walter is a woman of many excellent qualities and shares the esteem in which her husband's memory is held. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

FREDERICK FLEISHMAN. Prominent among the early settlers of Valley Center was the late Frederick Fleishman, who was distinguished as a man of thrift and enter- prise, and as an industrious and skilful agri- culturist. Coming to this section of the coun- ty when it was in its infancy, he was an in- terested witness of the changes that took place in the subsequent quarter of a century, during which time he contributed his full share towards the upbuilding and growth of the community in which he lived. He was born in a foreign country, his birth having oc- curred, February 11, 1829, in Germany.

Emigrating with his parents to the United States when eleven years of age, Frederick Fleishman completed his early education in the common schools of Pennsylvania, where he lived four years. In 1843 he moved with the family to Burlington, Iowa. In 1854, joining a party about to start across the plains with ox-teams, he started westward, but after traveling with the little band for a few weeks left the majority of his companions, and, with blankets on his back, walked to Colfax, Placer county. He subsequently farmed for a short time in the Sacramento valley, after which he turned his attention to mining, first locating on the Feather river, and then in Trinity county, where he became owner of several mining claims. In Novem- ber, 1875, desirous of settling permanently, Mr. Fleishman took up a government claim in San Diego county, began its improvement, and in 1876 was here joined by his wife and children. On April 6, 1892, he purchased the ranch now owned and occupied by his widow, and having added valuable improvements to its two hundred and forty acres of land was here profitably employed in general farming until his death. Inheriting to a marked de- gree those traits of economy, frugality and thrift characteristic of his ancestors, Mr. Fleishman achieved success in his independ- ent calling. and as a man of unimpeachable honesty and integrity won the esteem and re- spect of the community, and held high rank among its representative German citizens.

In 1850 Mr. Fleishman married Rebecca Helmrick, who was born, November 15, 1835. in Ohio. She came to California by way of the Isthmus in 1860, joining her husband in Trinity county, where she resided for fifteen

years. Of their union seven children were born, namely: John, born in Iowa, is mar- ried, and still lives in his native state; Joseph, also born in Iowa, now engaged in farming, married Maggie Tweed, by whom he has seven children; Minnie, wife of E. F. Brady, of Escondido, has four children; Frederick, an electrician in Los Angeles, married Josie Breedlove; William married Martha Watkins, and they have two children ; Dora, died at the age of seventeen years; and Edna, residing at Glenellen, Sonoma county. Mrs. Fleish- man still occupies the home ranch, and is liv- ing, surrounded by all the comforts of life, and blessed by the esteem and regard of her large circle of friends and acquaintances.

JAMES H. WHITWORTH, of Sherman, is a son of the late James Whitworth, and was born, September 16, 1856, in Nephi, Utah, of English ancestry.

A native of England, James Whitworth was there brought up, educated and married. Learning the baker's trade, he remained in his native country until 1853, when he came with his wife and three children to the United States, in company with a band of Mormons, with which he had previously united. Join- ing another band of Mormons in Iowa, the train procceded to Utah, locating in Nephi, where he lived for a year or two. With eleven other families he left there three weeks after the Mountain Meadow massacre, coming with ox-teams to San Bernardino, Cal., and arriv- ing in 1857. Purchasing a small tract of land, about three and one-half miles from San Ber- nardino, he carried on farming and stock- raising until drowned out by the heavy floods of 1862, losing everything. Coming then to Los Angeles county, he purchased one hun- dred and thirty acres of land near Sherman, and by persevering industry cleared a good farm. He subsequently purchased adjoining ·land, becoming owner of two hundred and sixty acres, which he managed ably until 1880, when he retired from active business, having accumulated considerable property. He subsequently lived in Los Angeles or Santa Monica, enjoying the fruits of his many years of toil. He was a bright, intelligent man, active until his last illness, and died, at the age of seventy-five years, May 19, 1876. He married, in England, Mary Ann Hilton, who died in Los Angeles, at the age of fifty vears, leaving four children, namely: Joseph H .; Elizabeth, wife of P. McKernan, of Los Angeles ; James H., of this sketch; and Har- riet F ... wife of M. Q. Reed, of Los Angeles.

An infant when he came with his parents

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

to California, James H. Whitworth was reared and educated in Los Angeles county. Receiving with his brother Joseph an interest in the parental homestead when seventeen years old, he and his father and brother car- ried on the home ranch together for a number of years, meeting with good success in their agricultural operations. He now owns one hundred and twenty acres of the old home- stead, which is now a valuable estate, being well cultivated and highly improved. In No- vember, 1890, Mr. Whitworth married Kate A. Lynch, a native of Canada. In politics Mr. Whitworth is independent, his father, how- ever, was a stanch Democrat, active in party ranks, for two terms serving as justice of the peace.

ROBERT S. KELLY of San Diego county is a native-born resident, his birth having occurred on the ranch where he now resides, February 20, 1880. His father, Mathew E. Kelly, was also born in California, the son of one of Placer coun- ty's pioneers, Mathew Kelly.

Born on the Isle of Man in 1822, Mathew Kel- ly emigrated to the United States in 1844, locat- ing first in Illinois, where he lived until after his marriage. Enthused by the discovery of gold in California, he came here in 1852, and for about sixteen years was employed in mining and pros- pecting in Placer county. Coming then to San Diego county, he bought four hundred and eighty acres of land near Oceanside, and having im- proved the ranch now owned and occupied by his son Mathew E. Kelly, he was here a resident un- til his death, April 14, 1885. He married Emily Porter, who was born in Worcestershire, Eng- land, emigrated with her parents to the United States, settling first in Wisconsin. She joined her husband in Placer county in 1858, and is now living in San Diego county, a bright and active woman of seventy-five years. She is a member of the Christian Church, to which her husband also belonged. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Eleven children were born of their union, two of whom died in infancy, and nine are living.

A native of Placer county, Cal., Mathew E. Kelly was born in 1856, and until twelve years of age resided there. Coming then to San Diego county, he completed his early education in the common schools, after which he turned his at- tention to agricultural pursuits, in which he has been successfully employed, being one of the foremost farmers of his community. Living near Oceanside, he has acquired title to fifteen hun- dred acres of land, and as a raiser of grain and stock is carrying on a thriving business. He is a

man of influence, an active member of the Re- publican party, and for a number of years has held the office of school trustee. He married Louise Ortega, who was born and brought up in the San Luis Rey valley, and they became. the parents of seven children, namely: Edward, who married Nettie G. Donola; Robert, the spe- cial subject of this brief biography ; Ellen, wife of J. D. Hall, of San Marcos; James; Lillie ; Alice; and Lizzie.

Reared upon the home ranch, Robert S. Kelly acquired a practical common school education in his native district, and while yet a young man became acquainted with the various branches in- cluded in agriculture. Since attaining his ma- jority, he has continued an inmate of the parental household, and is assisting in the management of the home place. He is a Republican in politics, one of the trustees of his school district, and is a member of Golden State Camp, M. W. A., No. 7110, of Los Angeles.

PARLEY WHITTAKER HEAP, Jr. The business interests of San Bernardino county have in Mr. Heap a man of enterprise and ability, whose personal affairs have not so entirely engrossed his attention that he has not had time to concern himself with the pub- lic affairs of the community in which he has made his home. He is a native of San Ber- nardino, where his birth occurred November 28, 1865; his father, Parley Whittaker Heap, Sr., was a native of Sheffield, England, whence the paternal grandfather, William, brought his family to America and became a pioneer of Moberly, Mo., then a frontier state. Later both father and grandfather crossed the continent and after a brief sojourn in Salt Lake City came to San Bernardino, locating here in 1851, the elder man engaging as a farmer until his death. General farming, teaming and freighting occupied the attention of the father for some years, but he has since become interested in well-boring which is now his principal employment. He resides in San Bernardino, and is an interested and intelli- gent citizen of the community in which he makes his home. His wife, formerly Miss Eliza Bottoms, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, died in this city in 1885. She was a daughter of John Bottoms, a native of England, who emigrated to. Ohio in young manhood, later to Utah, and in 1851 came to San Bernardino, where he engaged as a farmer until his death.

The eldest in a family of eight children, of whom seven are now living, Parley Whittaker Heap, Jr., was reared from boyhood on the paternal farm, receiving his educational train- ing in the public schools of San Bernardino.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

In young manhood he followed the work to which he had early been trained, engaging in teaming and freighting to the desert and min- ing camps, managing two outfits profitably. He also devoted some time to the raising of hay, at the present writing renting a con- siderable amount of land for this purpose. About 1898 he began the raising of hogs on his farm two miles north of San Bernardino, and this branch of stock-raising induced him, in 1905, to open a meat market on D street, which has grown into an extensive and profit- able enterprise. He conducts his business af- fairs in a businesslike manner, adhering strict- ly to principles of integrity and honor, and has come to be regarded as a citizen in whom implicit confidence may be placed.

Mr. Heap established home ties through his marriage April 30, 1888, with Miss Mary Dempsey, also a native of California, and born of this union are three children, Elmer, Leslie and Arthur. He has built a comfortable resi- dence on A street and has surrounded his family with all possible comforts. Politically he is independent.

J. B. NORTON. The ranch upon which J. B. Norton is now located was owned until 1903 by his father, John F. Norton, one of the early pio- neers of the state, who is now retired from active duties and makes his home at No. 2501 Belleview avenue, Los Angeles. He is a native of Maine, where he was born sixty-seven years ago, there marrying Eliza Smith, an English woman. She also survives, being now sixty years old. J. B. Norton represents the third generation in Cali- fornia, his grandparents having crossed the ·con- tinent and located in Stockton, San Joaquin county, where he was born, June 11, 1870. He received a preliminary education in the common schools of the city, after which he attended the University of Southern California for four years and graduated therefrom. He began ranching upon the property he now owns, being associated with his father for some years. In 1890 he en- gaged independently in the work and in 1903 purchased his father's property, where he has since resided. In 1892 he married Elizabeth Jones, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Alexander Jones, also of that state. In his fra- ternal relations Mr. Norton is a member of the Masonic organization, belonging to Compton Lodge No. 273, F. & A. M., and the Fraternal Aid. He is a Republican in his political convic- tions but reserves the right to cast his ballot for the man whom he considers best qualified for public office. He supports the Methodist Epis- copal Church. His ranch of seventy acres is given over to the cultivation of alfalfa, garden

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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 182

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