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 185

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 185

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A native of Kentucky, Jacob F. Mayer spent

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his life of sixty years in his -native state, dur- ing his active career being successfully employed as a farmer. He married Lucy Bond, who came of excellent Revolutionary stock, her paternal ancestors having been associated with the fam- ily of George Washington. She died in Ken- tucky, at the early age of forty years. She bore her husband thirteen children, of whom but four survive.

Receiving his early education in private schools, H. C. Mayer was afterwards graduated from the Henderson high school, subsequently taking a special course of study at the Univer- sity of Chicago. Entering then the employ of the well-known hardware firm of Hibbard, Spencer & Co., he worked in all departments, finally becoming commercial salesman, and one of the firm's most valued assistants, for three years traveling extensively in Oregon and Washington. Resigning his position, Mr. Mayer came to California, locating in Los Angeles, where he carried on a substantial hardware business for some time, his store being at No. 537 Broadway. Disposing of his interests in that city in February, 1905, Mr. Mayer lived for a short time at Ocean Park, after which, in Au- gust, 1905, he took up his residence in Venice, and has since been identified with its prosperity, whether of an industrial, financial or social na- ture, and has become owner of valuable real es- tate in this locality.

In Henderson, Ky., Mr. Mayer married Sarah Bradshaw, the representative of an old and well-known Kentucky family, and they have one child, a daughter named Sarah Louise.

JASON CHARLES TICKNOR. An enter- prising native son of California who has spent the greater part of his life in Riverside county, the mountains in that section of the state being as an open book to him for he has traveled over every trail worn upon their sides and through the canyons between them, is Mr. Jason Charles Ticknor. He was born in 1869, in San Fran- cisco, the son of J. C. and N. J. (Clark) Tick- nor, the former a native of Buffalo, N. Y., and the latter of Greenville, Pa. The elder Ticknor came to California in 1849 by the Panama route, and was for a time after his arrival engaged as a miner, later becoming a merchant of San Fran- cisco. In 1875 he removed to Southern Cali- fornia and conducted a merchandising business in what is now Riverside county. Both parents are now deceased.

Of the two children in the family Jason Charles Ticknor was the oldest and from his sixth year was brought up in the mountain regions of Riverside county. His education was received in the public schools, and from early

boyhood he found his greatest pleasure in the saddle where he was usually found when not in school. His first business ventures were in stock raising and he continued to follow that occupa- tion for about twenty years, his ranch being lo- cated in the Cahuilla country. In 1902 Mr. Ticknor sold his ranch and stock business and located in San Jacinto where he built a billiard hall and conducted it until January of 1905 when he went to Hemet and established a similar business which he now manages in connection with a cigar store. Among other property inter- ests he owns a residence in San Jacinto. His marriage to Miss Rose Creider, a native of West Virginia, occurred in San Jacinto. Politically Mr. Ticknor is a stanch advocate of the principles embraced in the platform of the Republican party, and fraternally affiliates with San Jacinto Lodge No. 338, F. & A. M .; San Jacinto Chapter, R. A. M .; and is also associated with the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks of Riverside, and Knights of the Maccabees at Hemet. Although his business takes the greater part of his time he yet finds opportunity to aid in the upbuild- ing of his section of the country and is actively interested in all matters of social and civic im- port.

P. J. BENDASHER. Switzerland is noted for its fine dairy farms and its expert dairymen. and when it is said that P. J. Bendasher is a native of that picturesque country it is almost needless to remark that on his fine ranch in the Lompoc valley he conducts one of the best dairies in the country. He also does general ranching and has met with unusual success in the raising of a variety of crops. Both his father, Domingo Bendasher, and mother, Lucy Bendasher, were born in Switzerland, where the father died at the age of fifty-five years, and there the mother still lives, and is almost a centenarian, being now ninety-seven years old. Three of the family of eight children live in California and the re- mainder are in their native country.

P. J. Bendasher was born in Switzerland, June 7, 1854, and came to the United States at the early age of twelve years, arriving at San Fran- cisco, from there going to Petaluma, where he worked in a dairy. He remained there about two years, and then engaged in the diary business for a year at Santa Cruz, and from that point moved to San Luis Obispo, continuing in the same business there for fourteen years, having purchased a dairy of his own at that place. In the fall of 1883 he removed to Lompoc and bought a dairy and stock ranch, which he held for some years, and after selling that came into possession of the home place of 156 acres which he now occupies. In 1884 he married Mary

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Carroll, a woman of Irish parentage, and to them have been born eight children: Lucy, Katie, Carl, Virginia, Cecil, Irene, Alvota and Walter. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bendasher are members of the Catholic Church and are training their chil- dren in that faith. Politically he believes in the principles advocated by the Republican party and takes a hearty interest in all matters of public interest, and has served as trustee on the school board of his district for some time. The fine home which the family occupies was built by himself since purchasing the ranch.

JOSE P. CALAC. In the class of progressive, enterprising representatives of the early inhabi- tants of the new world mention belongs to Jose P. Calac, who with his brother, Jose D., and a partner, J. J. Paubal, carries on farm pursuits in San Diego county and has the reputation of being one of the most sagacious and perservering farmers in the San Luis Rey valley.

The early home of Jose P. Calac was at the foot of Smith mountain, where he was born and where the earliest recollections of his life cluster around the picturesque and romantic environ- ment. During boyhood it was his privilege to attend public school at Perris, Riverside county, and he availed himself of every advantage to such an extent that in the common-school branches he surpasses many of the American farmers of the state. Since 1900 he has been interested with his brother and another partner in the management of a farm near Bonsall, hav- ing one of the largest grain farms in the entire valley and using thirty head of horses, as well as a large equipment of modern machinery suited to their needs. From the crop of 1905 they sold four thousand sacks (eight thousand bushels) of grain. The brothers are honest, industrious farmers, and sincere members of the Roman Catholic Church, belonging to the congregation at San Luis Rey. Jose P. is unmarried, but Jose D. has a wife and one son. Since coming to their present location they have gained the good-will of acquaintances and have established a reputation for uprightness and honesty, so that when crops failed they had no difficulty in secur- ing the necessary credit to carry them through to a more prosperous season. Their obligations have been met when due and they are justly proud of the reputation they have established in this respect.

ANGELO CANTARINI. One of the most extensive ranchers in Perris valley is Angelo Cantarini, who is farming sixteen hundred acres to hay and grain in this location and has seven hundred acres in Temecula. He owns his own

thirty-two horsepower combined harvester and it requires about fifty head of horses to operate the ranch. His birth occurred in Switzerland, September 16, 1855, he being the son of E. and Lucia Cantarini, both natives of Switzerland, the death of the father occurring there in 1882 at the age of eighty-six years, and that of the mother in 1904. she having attained eighty-seven years. The education of the son, Angelo, was received in the common schools of his native land, where he worked as a young man at the butcher trade for six years. In 1874 he emigrated to the United States, landing in San Francisco, where he remained a short time before coming to the southern part of the state. Arriving here, he took up one hundred and sixty acres of govern- ment land near Temecula, improved the prop- erty, and has made his home in this vicinity ever since. For fifteen years he was engaged in the sheep business, meeting with good success.

In 1886 Mr. Cantarini was in California united in marriage with Rosario Barrdogo, a native of this state, and the birth of eight children has blessed the union: Charles, Maggie, Mary, Peter, John, Rosa, Madeline and Lulsilia. He is an active member of the Catholic Church, and polit- ically is a believer in the principles embraced in the platform of the Republican party. He is popularly regarded as an excellent business man, a wide-awake and progressive citizen, and his worth to the community in which he lives has been ably demonstrated.

DANIEL CAMPBELL. Conspicuous among the energetic, brainy men of this age, who have acquired wealth through their own efforts, and now occupy an assured position among the lead- ing men of the community in which they reside, is Daniel Campbell, a well-known resident of Burbank. A native of Ireland, he was born in County Antrim, December 3, 1872, and was there brought up and educated, attending the national schools during the days of his boyhood and youth.

Emigrating to America when nineteen years of age, Daniel Campbell came directly to the Pa- cific coast, and worked at railroading for a time in Washington, afterwards being engaged in mining in Placer county. Meeting with fair suc- cess in his occupation, he was encouraged to try his luck in the gold fields of the far North, and on March 15, 1895, found himself in Alaska. Working as a miner for himself, he met with good success, locating many claims, and finally striking the "Thirty-six above Discovery on Bonanza creek." Mr. Campbell immediately be- gan developing the mines, employing forty men at $1.50 an hour in placer mining, there being twelve feet of dirt above the gravel. For five

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years he continued as a miner, in the meantime spending one winter in the States and in his old home in Ireland. He subsequently sold the mines at an advantageous price to the Northwest Transportation and Trading Company, which represented Armour & Co., who worked the claim out.

After disposing of his Alaskan interests, Mr. Campbell came to Southern California in quest of a desirable place in which to make his future home, visiting here in February, 1899, and in February, 1900, having traveled extensively in this part of the state, selected Burbank as the place in which he wished to live. He first en- gaged in general storage business, having a large warehouse, but soon sold out, and bought his present ranch of twenty-five acres. Mr. Camp- bell is much interested in fruit culture, having now thirteen acres of Valencia oranges, seven acres of the Thompson Improved Navels, while the other five acres is devoted to the raising of winter tomatoes. The improvements on his ranch are of a high order, and invariably elicit the at- tention and admiration of the passer-by. The house, which he employed an architect to build, is in the Mission style, with all the living rooms facing the south. It stands on an elevation one thousand feet in height, and from its broad and airy porch there is a most charming view, no- where excelled in the valley. In the care of his ranch, Mr. Campbell takes genuine pride and pleasure, working more for occupation and recre- ation than for pecuniary reward. He is identified with other enterprises, also, being a stockholder in several capitalized organizations.

In Ireland, in 1900, Mr. Campbell married Margaret McPeak, a native of the Emerald Isle, and they have two children, Daniel P. and Ar- thur Milford.

L. H. CASE, M. D. A rising young physi- cian and surgeon of Santa Monica, L. H. Case, M. D., is devoting his energy to making a suc- cess of his profession, and has already built up an extensive and lucrative practice. He is the descendant of an old and honored New York family and was born in that state, a son of Samuel Case, who now resides in Santa Monica.

Coming with his parents to California when ten years of age, L. H. Case completed his early education in the schools of Los Angeles county. Deciding to enter upon a medical career, he studied with the late Dr. J. J. Place, who settled in Santa Monica in 1890, remaining here until his death, in 1900. On leaving Dr. Place's office, Mr. Case entered the Hahnemann Pacific Med- ical College, in San Francisco, where he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1900. Returning to Santa Monica, Dr. Case began the

practice of his profession in this place, and has since continued here as a general practitioner. Politically the doctor is an independent Repub- lican, voting with the courage of his convictions for the best men and measures. Fraternally he belongs to Santa Monica Lodge, F. & A. M., and to Santa Monica Lodge, B. P. O. E. He is also a member of both the State Medical and the Southern California Medical societies.

FRANK P. DAVIDSON, A. B., A. M. The superintendent of the city schools of San Diego is a descendant of Scotch-Irish ancestry on the paternal side; on the maternal side his ancestors were identified with the reformation inaugurated by Martin Luther. He was born near Blairsville, Indiana county, Pa., March 2, 1853; completed studies of the common schools and attended the academy at Elders Ridge, Indiana county, that state, and in 1870 matriculated in Wittenberg College at Springfield, Clark county, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1875 with the degree of A. B., and three years later received the degree of A. M.

Professor Davidson was principal of a ward school in Springfield, Ohio, from 1875 until 1883, and then acted as assistant instructor of mathe- matics and history in the preparatory school of Wittenberg College; next he was engaged as an educator in Dixon county, Neb., and during the two years of his residence there, also for one more year, he carried on graduate work in Wit- tenberg College, making a specialty of chemistry, botany and mineralogy. For an instructor he was fortunate in securing Edgar F. Smith, Ph. D., LL. D., now officially connected with the University of Pennsylvania, and then (1885-88) instructor of natural sciences in the high school of Springfield, Ohio. On coming to California in 1888 Professor Davidson was associated with others in an effort to establish a preparatory school at Pacific Beach. The institution was founded under the name of San Diego College, but was abandoned two years later, owing to the depression of land values (the college depending for its existence and expenses upon the sale of lands).

The identification of Professor Davidson with the public-school system of San Diego dates from 1890, when he was appointed principal of the high school. Under his capable management the institution became fully accredited as a high school and grew in size from five to fourteen teachers. In 1897 he received the appointnient as superintendent of the San Diego city schools. which under his oversight are in every respect modern and second to none in the state. While his work in his present office has been intelligent. progressive and in every respect resourceful, and

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while it has been highly gratifying to the major portion of the population, there have nevertheless been some discouraging features, prominent among these being the attitude taken in 1904 by eighteen members of the board of education, who decided to make a change in the superintendent's office during the middle of the term. When the reasons for this procedure were demanded, they were given, but proved insufficient to the general public, so that at the next election the people retired the members who had opposed him, elect- ing member favorable to his retention in office. In the meantime the case was taken to the su- perior court, and afterward to the appellate court, under the title of Davidson versus Baldwin. Both courts decided in his favor, and thus established a precedent in California that a superintendent of schools cannot be dismissed during his term without just cause.

While making his home in Springfield, Ohio, Professor Davidson in 1878 married Miss Elea- nor Sprecher, who was born in that city and is a graduate of the Springfield Female Seminary under Rev. Dr. Rogers. Her father, Samuel Sprecher, D. D., LL. D., one of the most gifted theologians of his day as well as one of the most prominent educators in the Lutheran denomina- tion, was born in Washington county, Md., grad- uated from Gettysburg College and Seminary and was ordained to the Lutheran ministry. After having filled successful pastorates at Harrisburg and Chambersburg, Pa., in 1850 he was selected president of Wittenberg College. The institu- tion at that time was very small and its future uncertain, but under the strong hand and splen- did mental endowment of the president it be- came the leading college and seminary of the General Synod of the United States. When he resigned as president, after a successful service of one-quarter of a century, it was realized that his talents should be retained in the service of the college he had helped to build up, hence he was prevailed upon to become dean of the the- ological seminary, and in that position he re- mained for ten years. When finally in 1885 he resigned from active educational work, it was with the honorary title of professor emeritus. When a very aged man he came to San Diego to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Davidson, and there passed away Januarv 10, 1906, at the age of ninety-six years. In his marriage he became allied with a prominent German Lutheran fam- ily, his wife, Catherine, being a daughter of Rev. John George Smucher, of York, Pa .. and a sister of Rev. Samuel Smucher, D. D., of Gettysburg College, who for years was one of the leading members of the Lutheran denomination in the United States and the most prominent upbuilder of the institution with whose faculty he long was inseparably identified. In the family of

Professor and Mrs. Davidson there are two chil- dren. The son, Charles Sprecher Davidson, B. S., a graduate of the University of California, now holds a position as manager of the land department of the California Gas and Electric Power Company of San Francisco. The daugh- ter, Evelyn Gertrude, graduated from the Uni- versity of California with the degree of A. B., and is now secretary of the Young Women's Christian Association connected with the Uni- versity of Michigan at Ann Arbor ..

On the organization of the First English Lu- theran Church of San Diego Professor Davidson was chosen an elder of the congregation, which position he still fills, and in addition he has been superintendent of the Sunday-school since its or- ganization. For years he has been a member of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce. Polit- ically he gives his support to the Republican party. While living in Ohio he was made a Mason in Clark Lodge at Springfield, and now affiliates with San Diego Lodge No. 35. F. & A. M. The Phi Kappa Psi has his name enrolled on its membership list. Along the line of his chosen profession he holds membership in the California State Teachers' Association, is identi- field with the Southern California School Mas- ters' Club, for years has been connected with the National Educational Association, and at one time held office as vice-president of the Southern California Teachers' Association, in addition to which he has been warmly interested in local teachers' institutes and in all movements for the development of educational work, not only lo- cally, but also throughout the entire country.

ALBERT CHAMBERLAIN is actively identi- fied with the industrial interests of Los Angeles county as superintendent of the Independent Brick Company of Inglewood. An Englishman by birth, he was born, January 26, 1863, in Cheshire, England, a son of John Chamberlain, a native of Liverpool, England, and who died in Los Angeles, Cal., in 1896. He was a man of strict integrity, and a consistent member of the Episcopal Church. He married Elizabeth Clark, who was born in Liverpool. England, and died, in 1898, in Los Angeles. Of the twelve chil- dren born of their union five sons and two daugh- ters survive, the names of the sons being as fol- lows: Thomas, residing in England: William C., of Winnipeg: Albert, the subject of this sketch; and Alfred and John, brick manufac- turers at Los Angeles.

Coming with the family from England to Iowa in 1880. Albert Chamberlain assisted his father in clearing and improving land, remaining at home until after attaining his majority. Start- ing then in business for himself, he was employed

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in general farming and stock raising for several years, as an agriculturist meeting with satisfac- tory results. In 1896 he came to California, lo- cating in Los Angeles, where for three years he was in the employ of Edward Simons, brick manufacturer. He subsequently became identi- fied with the Los Angeles Brick Company, with which he was associated for nearly six years, the greater part of the time being general foreman of their Chovez Ravine yards, which are the largest in Southern California. In July, 1905. Mr. Chamberlain accepted his present responsible position as superintendent of the Independent Brick Company of Inglewood. This company carries on an extensive business in manufactur- ing building brick, their two yards having a ca- pacity of one hundred thousand bricks.

While residing in Iowa, Mr. Chamberlain mar- ried Lillian Miller, who was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, a daughter of Hezekiah Miller. Her Grandfather Miller, a pioneer settler of Des Moines, Iowa, served in the Black Hawk Indian war. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain has been blessed by the birth of four children, namely : Elizabeth Elzora, John H., Albert W. and Samuel P. Fraternally Mr. Chamberlain is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

AGUSTIN COTA. Among the prosperous agriculturists of Los Angeles county who have inherited their estates and their occupations from their Spanish ancestors is Agustin Cota, who is actively engaged in tilling the soil on his val- uable ranch, which is advantageously located two and one-half miles north of Santa Monica, and within a short distance of Ocean Park. The descendant of one of the early Spanish settlers of Southern California ; he was born in Los An- geles, February 28, 1858, a son of Francesco Cota. His grandfather, Guillermo Cota, the emigrant ancestor, was born and brought up in Spain, and when a young man came to California in search of wealth.

A native of Los Angeles county, Francesco Cota has spent the larger part of his life in this vicinity, but now, an aged man of eighty-five years, is spending the closing days of his long life in Santa Ana, with a daughter. He mar- ried Martina Machado, a daughter of Augustine Machado, who, with his brother, purchased from the Spanish Government a large grant, "La Ballona." containing fifteen thousand acres of land. Further parental history may be found on another page of this work, in connection with the sketch of her brother, Jose Antonio Machado. She died when about forty-two years old. She inherited one hundred and seventy-five acres of the La Ballona ranch, a part of which was sold several years ago.

When a boy of thirteen years, Agustin Cota began earning his own living, working on ranches until he acquired a good knowledge of the vari- ous branches of agriculture, when he began farm- ing on rented land. On becoming of age, he in- herited from his mother's estate his present home ranch, consisting of seven and three- fourths acres of land, which he is carrying on successfully.

On August 6, 1888, Mr. Cota married Ynes Figurea, who was born in this county, a daugh- ter of Ramon Figurea, who migrated from Mexi- co to California. Mr. and Mrs. Cota are the parents of three children, namely : Vivan, Mar- tina and Augustine. In his political affiliations Mr. Cota is an earnest adherent of the Demo- cratic party.

JOHN DIEDRICH. Holding a noteworthy position among the enterprising and progressive farmers of the Santa Clara valley is John Died- rich, who is prosperously engaged in his free and independent vocation on one of the most valuable and highly improved ranches in the vicinity of Oxnard. A resident of Ventura county for a quarter of a century, he has ever been a useful man in the community, taking a prominent place in the enterprises tending toward the enlight- ment of the people, being the friend of educa- tion, and active in all good works. He has been a tiller of the soil the greater part of his life, and still finds therein his greatest pleasure. He is a German by birth and breeding, his birth having occurred, February 27, 1852, in Hanover, where he grew to man's estate. His parents, Ludwig and Margaret (Boheme) Diedrich, were life- long residents of the Fatherland, and were num- bered among its most loyal and faithful citizens.

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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 185

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