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 188

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 188

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In 1867. in Santa Cruz, Mr. Cathcart was married to Miss Augusta Durr, who was born in Ohio July 13, 1844, one of six children born to her parents, and besides herself only two of the number are now living, a brother and sister, the latter a resident of San Francisco. When a child of eleven years Mrs. Cathcart accompanied her parents, Jolın and Margaret Durr, to Cali-

fornia, coming by way of the isthmus and thence by boat to Monterey county. The mother did not long survive the tedious journey to the west, but the father, who was a native of Germany, lived until 1871. Four children blessed the mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Cathcart, all of whom are living with one exception and in homes of their own. Mrs. Frank Baynham lives in Los Ange- les and is the mother of one child ; John Lee mar- ried Miss Amy Green, and with his wife and two children lives in San Bernardino; Charles H. is deceased; Robert married Miss Bessie Loebier and is also a resident of San Bernardino. Politically Mr. Cathcart was a stanch supporter of Democratic principles. Throughout Los An- geles county Mr. Cathcart was well known for his whole-souled generosity and kindly disposi- tion, ever in touch with the needs of his friends and associates, and he enjoyed the confidence of a large circle of business and social associates.

PORTER BROTHERS. Conspicuous among the more active and able agriculturists of Ven- tura county are the Porter Brothers, of Oxnard, A. T., Charles W. and A. A. Porter. Brought up on a farm, these brothers were trained in the various branches of agriculture from their boy- hood days, and since assuming possession of their present ranch in the Santa Clara valley have car- ried on general farming in a systematic and thor- ough manner, placing the land under a state of most excellent culture, and from it reaping large and profitable harvests. They rank among the public-spirited and liberal men of the township. and are never backward in supporting enter- prises which will prove of benefit to the com- munity. Sons of Henry Starr Porter, they were all born on Catawba Island, Ottawa county, Ohio, coming from honored New England ancestry.

A native of Connecticut, Henry Starr Porter was born February 16, 1839, and when but an infant was taken to Ohio by his parents, who, settling in a wild, uncultivated country, cour- ageously endured all the trials and privations of pioneer life. Educated in the pioneer schools of Ohio, he began life as a farmer and trapper, being thus engaged until after the breaking out of the Civil war. Enlisting in 1862 in Company E, Eiglith Ohio Volunteer Infantry, he took an active part in manv of the most severe engage- ments of the conflict, including the battles of Fredericksburg, Fairfax Court House, the Wilderness and Gettysburg. Severely wounded at the latter battle, he was for six months con- fined in the hospital at Newark, N. J. Being then left with but little use of his right arm, he was honorably discharged from the army, and returned to his Ohio home. A short time later he removed with his family to Sedgwick county,

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Kans., where for fourteen years he and his sons were successfully employed in farming and cattle dealing. Since coming to California, in 1891, he has lived with his sons, and, although prac- tically retired from active pursuits, assists in the management of the ranch, he and his good wife both performing their full share of labor. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and while in Kansas took a prominent part in local affairs, serving as school trustee and road superin- tendent, and filling offices of minor importance. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Re- public.

Henry S. Porter married Eliza Dove, who was born in England, March 16, 1841, and of their union seven children were born, namely : Caroline A., who died in infancy; A. T., born May 24, 1861; Lydia A., who died in 1896; Charles W., born January 7, 1869; A. A., born August 11, 1870, and Effie and Alice, twins, born April 24, 1875. Mrs. Porter is a woman of great personal worth, a helpmate in every sense im- plied by the term, and is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,

Spending the larger part of their earlier lives in Sedgwick county, Kans., A. T., C. W. and A. A. Porter there gained their early education, attending the district schools. As soon as old enough they began assisting their father in his care of the farm, and on attaining their major- ity the older boys were engaged with him in cattle raising and dealing. In 1891 the parents sold the two ranches which they there owned and came to Ventura county, settling with their children. Very soon afterward the sons bought their present ranch of thirty acres, which is one of the most attractive and desirable in the Santa Clara valley, and at once began its improvement. Recently they have installed an irrigating plant, which has proved of inestimable value to them in the raising of beans, which they make a spe- cialty, as during 1905 their average, under irri- gation, was raised from twenty-six sacks, of eighty-four pounds each, to forty sacks per acre, a noteworthy increase. Inheriting to an eminent degree the industry, thrift and energetic ability of their New England ancestors, they are meet- ing with well deserved success in their opera- tions, and are valued members of the community. Like their honored father, they are stanch sup- porters of the principles of the Republican party.

S. A. REED, of Escondido, is cashier of the First National Bank of Escondido, has for the past twelve years been city treasurer, and holds the office of secretary in the Chamber of Com- merce, of which he was one of the original or- ganizers. He was born May 18, 1868, in Ken- dall county, Ill., the son of Ansel and Eliza M.

(Wright) Reed, both natives of New York state. Mrs. Reed was a daughter of S. Wright, a pioneer farmer of Illinois, who served in the Civil war, and she now resides with her son in Escondido, at the age of seventy-nine years old. Reuben Reed, the grandfather of S. A., was born in New York, and removed with his family to Illinois, locating on the site of the present city of Chicago when there were but two houses there, and his son, Levi, now a resident of Port- land, Ore., was the first white child born in the city. After the death of the grandparents the children were left without a home and were bound out, as was the custom in those days, and Ansel Reed was taken by a family at Big Grove, when about eight years old. While there the Black Hawk war broke out and he with other settlers were saved by the Indian chief, Shob- bana, and they escaped to the fort at Ottawa, After the war the family returned to the farm and he remained there until he had attained his majority. His first position paid him $8 a month, and with the money which he saved he was en- abled to buy a piece of government land at $1.25 an acre. He broke the fields and planted crops, and was obliged to haul the wheat which he har- vested forty-six miles to the market in Chicago, using ox-teams and being obliged to ford streams, the trip requiring a week's time. At the time of his death, when sixty-eight years old, he owned several hundred acres of land. Polit- ically he was a Republican, and belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The family of which S. A. Reed was a mem- ber consisted of five sons, and of his four broth- ers, Frank A. is engaged in mining in San Ber- nardino; Emory D. is a contractor in Los An- geles; Charles E. is in the livery business in San Diego; and Orville E. lives on the home farm in Illinois. Reared on the farm near Platt- ville, Ill., where he was born, Mr. Reed first at- tended the public schools, then the Morris Nor- mal and Scientific School, and later graduated from the Northern Indiana State Normal School in Valparaiso. A year later, in 1888, he came to California. locating in Escondido, and was first employed as clerk and bookkeeper for Gra- ham & Steiner, afterwards Steiner & Co., and soon rose to the position of bookkeeper and cashier. In 1905 he resigned to become cashier of the First National Bank, he having been one of the organizers of the institution. The banking company was incorporated in May, 1905, with a capital stock of $25,000, and opened for busi- ness November 4 of the same year. A general banking business is transacted and the institution is considered one of the most stable in Southern California.

The marriage of Mr. Reed occurred in Es- condido, uniting him with Miss Sarah E. Sher-

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win, a native of Lincoln, Neb., and they have two children, Harold B. and Edwin L. Mrs. Reed is an active member of the Christian Church in Los Angeles. Fraternally Mr. Reed is an Odd Fellow and belongs to Themis Lodge No. 146, K. of P., of which he is past chancellor. Politically he is a Republican.

PHILIP A. BETTENS, of Escondido, is one of the most highly esteemed residents of the community in which he lives. A native of In- diana, he was born July 31, 1837, in Vevay, be- ing the third in line of direct descent to bear the name. His paternal grandfather, Philip A. Bettens, first, was born, reared and married in Switzerland, being descended from an old French family of prominence. With his wife, whose maiden name was Rose Massard, he immigrated to the United States, and with sixteen other fami- lies settled in Indiana, becoming an original householder of the town which they named Ve- vay, in remembrance of the Swiss town from which this little band of colonists emigrated. There he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives, both attaining the ripe old age of four score years.

Born in Vevay, Ind., Philip A. Bettens, sec- ond, grew to manhood on the farm which his father cleared from the forest. He followed farming until his death, when he was but thirty- four years old. He married Charlotte Secretan, a native of Switzerland; she survived her hus- band, passing away at the age of seventy years. Of the two sons and one daughter born of this marriage, two children are living, Charles, of Vevay, Ind .; and Philip A.

Brought up on the ancestral homestead which his grandfather cleared from the wilderness, Philip A. Bettens, third, began life for himself as a boy of thirteen years. In 1850 he began running on flat boats on the Ohio and Missis- sippi rivers, subsequently making two trips to New Orleans as cook. He became an expert boat- man, and for two years was employed as skiff man, going ashore to take the line, and check the boat. He was afterwards engaged as second pilot until 1858, when he settled in New Or- leans for the winter, remaining there until June, 1859. Returning then to Indiana, Mr. Bettens married and settled as a farmer in Florence, where he took a leading part in local affairs, serving two terms as justice of the peace and being county commissioner for some time.

Coming to California in 1887, Mr. Bettens was employed for a few months in the laving out of the Coronado gardens at San Diego. Going thence to San Pasqual, he was there employed in general ranching from June 1887, until August. 1888. He then located in Escondido and pur-

chased his present ranch, in the improvement of which he has spared neither time nor expense. He has set out three acres of deciduous fruits and grapes, and three acres of oranges and iemons, in the cultivation of which he is very suc- cessful. Besides this he owns two valuable farms in this vicinity, both well improved. For two years after coming here, Mr. Bettens was agent for the Sweetwater nursery, and was subse- quently successfully engaged in the nursery busi- ness on his own account for five years.

In Indiana, in 1859, Mr. Bettens married Clara A. Dufour, who was born in Vevay, a daughter of Vincent Dufour, a native of Vevay, Switzerland, and a farmer by occupation. He married Ann Brisbee, a native of Kentucky, and they had seven children. Mrs. Bettens died on the home farm in Florence, Ind., November 10, 1880, leaving six children, Philip A., Jr., who was graduated from West Point with the class of 1885, was made second lieutenant of the Ninth Cavalry at Fort Robinson, Neb .; he was wound- ed in the knee at the Indian fight at the Rose- burg agency, contracted la grippe while lying without shelter with the mercury at thirty below zero, which left him with a cough, from which he never recovered, his death occurring at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., in 1892, at the age of thirty- one years and five months; Bertha is the wife of E. DeBell, of Hollywood; Aimie died June II, 1896. aged thirty years and eleven months : Estella became the wife of Frank Storm, of Escondido; Albert is manager of the California hotel, San Francisco; and Rodolph is manager of St. James hotel, at San Jose.

GUISEPPE MUSCIO. The dairy industry in which Mr. Muscio is engaged has grown from insignificant proportions to important dimensions and occupies his entire time and close attention. Since about 1901 he has made his home on a ranch in Santa Barbara county, near Los Alamos, where he leases five thousand acres of land. He owns a tract of ten hundred and eighty acres near Garey available for cultivation, and he carries in his pasture about one thousand head of stock. In his home place, known as the Tine- quac ranch, which contains twenty-four hun- dred acres, he farms about two hundred acres and makes a specialty of cheese-making. The two dairies contain three hundred milch cows and the output of cheese and cream is of the rich- est quality and also most abundant in quantity. Of his three brothers now in California two are successfully engaged in the dairy business. His father, Theodore Muscio, who is now eighty- two years of age, has never left his native land, and now makes his home in Somao, Switzerland. The mother bore the maiden name of Eugenia

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Reghetti and lived to be seventy. One of nine children comprising the parental family, Guis- seppe Muscio was born in Switzerland March 10, 1847.

Coming to America at the age of seventeen years, in 1864, Mr. Muscio proceeded at once, via the Isthmus, to California, and settled in Petaluma, Cal., near which town he secured work on a dairy farm. From the first he was frugal, industrious and persevering, and in 1868 he made a start for himself. For a time he remained in Marin county, but in 1872 he went to San Luis Obispo county and worked at the dairy business until 1884, the year of his arrival in Santa Bar- bara county. For a time he superintended large landed holdings in company with two partners, who bought eight thousand acres, and as the years passed he gained a wide reputation for the growing importance of his dairy interests.

Politically Mr. Muscio is a Republican, and for six years he filled the office of justice of the peace at Sisquoc. Since identifying himself with the Masons in 1883 he has been warmly inter- ested in the order, belonging to Santa Maria lodge and the chapter, of which latter he is a charter member, and was formerly a member of the chapter at San Luis Obispo. He also belongs to the Knights Templar Commandery at the last- mentioned place. In his religious belief he was reared in the Catholic faith, and has always re- mained true to its teachings. His marriage in 1875 united him with Miss Adeline Stone, a na- tive of California, and to them were born the following children: Lillian, George Milton (de- ceased), Delmo, Joseph and Edward.

ARCHIE J. ATWATER. One of the most successful business men of Los Angeles county is Archie J. Atwater, senior member of the firm of Atwater & Carl, known in. Long Beach and Alamitos Beach as purveyors of staple and fancy groceries. By birth Mr. Atwater is a native of Illinois, born in Moline July 5, 1864, a son of Samuel and Mary Jane Atwater. Samuel At- water was a man of considerable mechanical abil- ity, which he exercised with telling effect during the twelve years in which he was foreman of the Moline Plow Company in Moline, Ill. After the death of his wife, which occurred in Joplin, Mo., he came to California, and passed his re- maining days. his life coming to a close in Pomona. The early boyhood days of Archie J. Atwater are associated with the manufacturing town of Moline, where, after his school days were over, he began work in the plow works of which his father was foreman. As master of the molder's trade, which he learned while associated with his father, he had no fear of lacking for em- ployment, and followed this trade throughout the

remainder of his residence in Illinois. From the latter state he went to Independence, Kans. While in Independence he was united in marriage with Elizabethi Swearingen, but as the climate in Kan- sas did not agree with his wife's health he re- moved to California soon afterward. The At- water home comprises three children, Edna, Dwight and Marian.

Mr. Atwater's first location in this state was at Escondido, San Diego county, where he fol- lowed the blacksmith's trade until his removal to Pomona, Los Angeles county. In the latter. place he worked at his trade for about a year and a half, and about the same length of time had charge of a department in the Pomona Manu- facturing Company, a co-operative enterprise, of which he was one of the organizers and a stock- holder. After a residence of about three years in Pomona he came to Long Beach and pur- chased the grocery business then owned by Carl & Wilson. After carrying on the business single- handed for nine months Mr. Atwater sold a half- interest to the senior member of the old firm, since which time business has been carried on under the name of Atwater & Carl. . To such an extent were they prospered in their affairs in Long Beach that they decided to open a similar store in Alamitos Beach, a decision which they put into effect in May, 1905, at which time they located in the new building at the corner of Fourth and Almond streets, which they had erected for the purpose. The store in the latter place is under the management of Mr. Atwater, while the business in Long Beach is in charge of Mr. Carl.

Politically Mr. Atwater is a Democrat, but is in no sense of the word a partisan, supporting the candidates of his chosen party in national elections, and in local matters giving his vote and influence to the man best fitted for the office in question, irrespective of party name. Fra- ternally he is associated with the Modern Wood- men of America, belonging to the camp at Long Beach, and in religion is identified with the Chris- tian Church.

SETH GLIDDEN. It is as the owner of Glidden flats that Seth Glidden is best known in Avalon, where he has resided for several years and identified himself with the upbuilding of that place. On his father's side he is of English extraction, his great-grandfather having emi- grated from that country to Maine in an early day. The succeeding members of the family in direct line have been natives of Maine, the father, Enoch, being engaged in agricultural pursuits and lumbering operations during his lifetime, his death occurring when the son Seth was but four- teen years of age. The mother, of Scotch ante-

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cedents, was before her marriage Olive Clark. She became the mother of nine children, five of whom are living, and her death occurred in Ma's- sachusetts.

The only member of the family living in Cali- fornia, Seth Glidden was born January 22, 1841, in Lincoln county, Me., and was reared on a New England farm near Olney, where he at- tended the public schools until eighteen years of age. Then going to Lowell, Mass., he learned the carpenter's trade and engaged in contraeting and building, steadily increasing his business un- til he employed as high as forty men at one time. In 1885 he came to Pasadena, which at that time did not boast a brick building. Here he took building contracts and engaged in real estate transactions, platting and putting on the market one addition, from the sale of which he realized handsome returns. In 1897 Mr. Glid- den became interested in Catalina Island and two years later purchased the site upon which he erected the flats. He also built a storehouse on Maiden Lane which extends through to Olive street, and is engaged in contracting for the erection of residences at Avalon. He still owns his residence in Pasadena.

The marriage of Mr. Glidden, which occurred in Lowell, Mass., united him with Martha E. Groves, who was born in Salisbury, Addison county, Vt., and reared in Lowell, Mass., where her father, S. H. Groves, was engaged in mer- chandising, having formerly been a farmer in Vermont. Mrs. Glidden's mother was Harriet Andrews, a member of an old Vermont family; her father, James Andrews, was also born in that state and was a graduate of Middleburg College. Mr. and Mrs. Groves are both deceased, his death having occurred in Pasadena, his wife's in Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Glidden are the parents of four children, Ada, the wife of Dr. Paul Bresee of Los Angeles; Adelbert. a con- tractor and builder in Pasadena ; Edward A. and Ralph, both at home. The family is connected with the Congregational Church of Avalon, Mr. Glidden being a member of the board of trus- tees. Politically he is a Republican.

STEPHEN BROWN. Few of the millions of emigrants from the old world who have sought homes in the western hemisphere have drifted to the rugged and storm-swept shores of Prince Edward Island, but when James Brown left his native Scotland he found employment at his trade of shipbuilding on that remote island and there he remained until death. His son John, who was born and reared there, took up farm pursuits, and from the stern and unfriendly soil he wrested a livelihood for his family. Early in manhood he married Lydia, daughter of Richard

Ackland, the former a native of the island, and the latter an emigrant from England. Three children comprised the family of John and Lydia Brown, but only two are now living, namely : Stephen and Neil E., both residents of San Diego. The mother is living in this city also and makes her home with the first-named son.

On the home farm, nine miles west of Char- lottetown, Prince Edward Island, Stephen Brown was born September 24, 1871, and there he passed the uneventful years of youth, receiving such advantages as the neighborhood offered for the acquisition of an education. When he ar- rived in San Diego in November, 1890, he was energetic, willing and ambitious, but was un- familiar with any trade and anxious therefore to accept the first means of earning a livelihood that was offered. In this way he took up team- ing as an employe of a gentleman established in business. For three years he was with the same employer, and then for a year teamed for an- other man, after which he began to take contraets to do teaming, and has since increased his outfit from one to eight teams. In addition he has taken contracts for cement foundations, walls, walks, etc., using in his work gravel obtained from his own pit, located between B street, City Park and Nineteenth street, while his sand he obtains from his own pit.

After coming to San Diego Mr. Brown here married Miss Elizabeth Mckinley, a native of Prince Edward Island. Two children were born of that union, but Russell is the only one now liv- ing. The second marriage of Mr. Brown was solemnized in Los Angeles and united him with Miss Anna Lynn, a native of Missouri. The only fraternal organization with which Mr. Brown has identified himself is the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he has ranked among the most prominent of its local workers. Initi- ated into the order in Sunset Lodge No. 328, I. O. O. F., he is now past grand of that lodge. The encampment and canton also number him among their members and he has officiated as past chief patriarch of Centennial Encampment No. 58, besides, with his wife, being actively as- sociated with the Order of Rebekahs. On the occasion of the grand encampment at San Diego in 1905 he was chosen a member of the executive committee, having in charge the plans and prep- aration for the event, and the remarkable suc- cess of the gathering may be attributed in large degree to the tactful, efficient and sagacious labors of that committee.

GOTTFRED ANDERSON. Separted from the mainland of Sweden by Kalmar sound and extending out into the Baltic sea lies the narrow island known as Oeland, where the ancestors of

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mr. Anderson for many generations cultivated the rugged soil. There were born and reared his parents, Andres P. and Lena (Erickson) Lar- son, and there they still remain on the old home place, respected by acquaintances and faithful in their devotion to the Lutheran Church. Of their seven children six attained mature years, namely : Emil, who remains on the island homestead; Mrs. Josephine Anderson, now living at Port- land, Ore .; Mrs. Amy Niblin, who died at Port- land; Gottfred and Julius, who are owners of the San Diego steam laundry and conduct busi- ness under the title of Anderson Brothers; and Albert (twin of Julius), who is engaged in busi- ness in San Diego.

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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 188

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