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 190

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

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Coming to San Diego in 1886, Mr. Campbell worked at his trade, first as foreman and subse- quently as contractor. Turning his attention then to agriculture, he located on a ranch, pur- chasing one hundred and sixty acres of land, and began the culture of fruit, setting out vines and figs. At the expiration of five years he rented his ranch and moved back to San Diego, where, even while farming, he had continued to some extent his work as a contractor. He subsequently spent a year as a contractor in Los Angeles, but since that time has been a resident of San Diego, his home being at No. 389 Front street. In addi- tion to owning his home estate he has title to other residential property of value, and still owns his ranch, from its rental deriving a good annual income. During his residence here Mr. Camp- bell has built many of the handsome residences of the city. and some of its largest and most prominent buildings, including among others the American National Bank, the Pickwick Theatre, the Shaw Building, the Arnold Block, the Kneale Flats.

Mr. Campbell married, in Scotland, Elizabeth

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Chalmers, the daughter of David Chalmers, the representative of an old and honored family. Her mother, whose maiden name was Jessie Rob- inson, was born in Perthshire, Scotland, the daughter of William Robinson, who was de- scended from Cowper Angus. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell six children have been born, namely: John C., a contractor; Jessie, Mrs. Reed, of San Diego; David, foreman for the Los Angeles Automobile Company ; George, a bookkeeper; Roy; and Elizabeth. Mr. Camp- bell belongs to the San Diego Chamber of Com- merce, and to the Master Carpenters' Associa- tion. Politically he is identified with the Re- publican party. He has served for three years as school trustee, is now a member of the San Diego Board of Education, and in both capaci- ties is chairman of the building committee. One term he was a member of the Board of Delegates. Fraternally he was made a Mason in Gainesville, Tex., and is now a member of Silver Gate Lodge No. 296, F. & A. M., and is also identified with the Foresters of America, of which he is past chief ranger and past deputy chief.

THEOPHILE CORBEIL. The enterprising characteristics of the French people usually bring them a fair degree of success in whatever locality their efforts centralize. Especially is this the case when they settle in a climate where Nature proves a kindly friend. Given the opportunities afforded by California and the energy and enter- prise of the French race, and a prosperous com- munity is always established. In the list of French residents of Los Angeles county Mr. Corbeil ranks among those who have met with commendable success as a horticulturist, and al- though his ranch lies five miles from Pomona, he has always made his home in town, owning a fine residence at No. 140 Newman street.

In the department of France known as Hautes- Alpes Theophile Corbeil was born May 10, 1859, the son of Jacques and Delphina ( Albert) Cor- beil, they, too, being natives of France. All of the four children born to the parents are still living, Ferdinand and Honine, both in France, although the former was at one time a stock man in Nevada. where Jacques. the youngest son, is following the same business. The eldest of the family, Theophile, was brought up on the home- stead farm in France, thus receiving a practical training in agriculture, which in the main he has followed throughout the greater part of his life. At the age of twenty-one years a respite from farm duties for service in the army of his country brought a complete change of thought and scene into his life. As a member of the Thirtieth Regi- ment, Fourth Company. Fourth Battalion, he served for four years and one month, and after

his discharge from the service he returned to the old homestead and resumed his former life on the farm. After continuing this for about three years he became imbued with a desire to come to the new world, and in 1887 he carried out his plans. Coming direct to Pomona, Cal., he at once found a position with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, with whom he remained for over eight years, when a desire to become a land owner and share in the agricultural prosperity everywhere about him led to the purchase of a ranch near Chino, San Bernardino county. This he set out to a deciduous orchard and vineyard, and also purchased and improved a ten-acre ranch five miles from Pomona, and during the entire twenty years of his residence in California he has made his home in town, having a fine resi- dence on Newman street, which he erected to conform with his own ideas of convenience and comfort.

Mr. Corbeil's marriage, December 3, 1885, united him with Miss Rosalie Sarrgen, she, too, being a native of Hautes-Alpes, and the daugh- ter of August and Marie (Echain) Sarrgen, also natives of France. Eight of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sarrgen are still living. Four children have been born into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Corbeil, Dennie, Sylvan, Theo- phile and Fred, all of whom are at home. The family are communicants of St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Pomona, and both Mr. and Mrs. Cor- beil are well thought of in the community where they have resided for the past two decades.

HARRY M. A. ELMS. Since his ninth year Harry M. A. Elms has lived in Southern Cali- fornia, and for more than twenty years has been interested in the development of Catalina, where he has permanently resided since 1887, and was the first postmaster at Avalon. He now has large possessions in the mines at Goldfield, Nev. The birth of Mr. Elms occurred in 1866, in the city of London, England, the son of Henry and Jane (Minto) Elms. The father was born in Devon- shire and followed merchandising in London until 1875, when he emigrated, with his wife and three children, to California, and engaged in horticult- ure and farming on the Los Angeles river in the city, where he still lives retired from active business life. The mother was a native of Lon- don and her death occurred in Los Angeles. Two of their children are still living, James being a resident of Los Angeles, and Harry M. A., the oldest of the family, of Avalon.

As a boy Mr. Elms attended the public schools in Los Angeles, and when he became of an age to start on an independent business career he went to Pasadena and learned the carpenter trade and plied it until 1884, when he began to spend

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his summers at Avalon. In 1887 he located at that place permanently, built a store and estab- lished a merchandising business, and having been appointed as the first postmaster of the place, he fitted a part of the store as a postoffice and at- tended to his duties in connection with his busi- ness. He continued thus for four years, then disposed of the store and resigned the post- mastership to engage in boating. He built the gasoline launch Mildred, and operated it until 1904, still retaining the ownership of the craft, however. In 1904 he went to Goldfield and en- gaged in mine prospecting, locating claims and selling them and acquiring interests in many of the large properties there, among his holdings be- ing stock in the Dromedary Hump at Fairview, the Great Bend and Great Bend Extension at Goldfield, the Manhattan Consolidated Extension of Manhattan, and the Bullfrog Annex at Bull- frog. Mr. Elms now divides his time between Avalon and Goldfield, spending his summers at the former place and the winters at the latter. He holds membership in the Goldfield Mining Stock Exchange and is recognized as a man well posted on mines and their values. By his mar- riage in Pasadena he was united with Miss Annie M. Gifford, a native of New York state, and they are the parents of one child, Shirley. Fra- ternally Mr. Elms is a member of the Royal Ar- canum.

ABRAHAM FLORES, who was born in Santa Barbara county, March 16, 1860, has for the past nine years been the owner of one hun- dred and sixty acres of land near Santa Maria. He was reared among humble surroundings, and is one of a family of thirteen children, five of whom are living. His father, Juan Flores, was born in Chili, South America, and when quite young skirted the western coast in a sailing ves- sel up to California, where he engaged in busi- ness in Los Alamos, Santa Barbara county, for many years. He attained to sixty-one years of age, while his wife, formerly Dora Valenzuela, a native of California, died at the age of fifty-two.

It became the imperative duty of Abraham Flores to assist with the family maintenance at a very early age, and his youth was crowded with hardship and responsibility, while the other boys of his neighborhood were attending school and enjoying the diversions of the community. In time he sought a livelihood with other ranchers of the county, and for fifteen years re- mained a plodding and altogether dependable em- ploye. His reward was the ranch which he now occupies, where he is engaged in the raising of stock, grain and beans.

Before her marriage in 1884, Mrs. Flores was Susan Sturgeon, who was born in Santa Bar-

bara county, July 26, 1863, and educated in the grammar school of Santa Barbara. Mr. and Mrs. Flores are the parents of five children: Annie, wife of Chester Calvert; Rosa; Ernest; Orestus ; and Clorinea. Mr. Flores is a Democrat in poli- tics, and a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

JOSEPH FOSTER. Not only in the vicinity of Foster, which forms the present terminus of the Cuyamaca Railroad and which received its name from him, but also in his home city of San Diego and throughout all that portion of San Diego county where are centered his stage-line and ranching interests, Mr. Foster occupies a leading position as a capable agriculturist, pro- gressive business man and trustworthy citizen. A native of the state which has been his lifelong home, he was born in Sacramento, August 15, 1856, and came to San Diego November 24, 1868, since which time he has been identified with the development of this region. The first step which he took toward independence was in the purchase of a tract of ranch land in 1880, and afterward he gave close attention to the improving of the property, which he still owns. The land lies near the station of Foster and offers excellent advan- tages for the raising of stock, in which industry he has as a partner Hon. Frank P. Frary, former mayor of San Diego. In 1888 the two became associated in the establishing of a stage line from San Diego to Julian and from El Cajon to Stone- wall; in the operation of the line they continued together for ten years, and then Mr. Foster pur- chased his partner's interest, afterward conduct- ing the business alone. At this writing he runs a stage, daily except Sunday, from Foster to Julian and Banner, using a four-horse team and taking twenty horses for the entire trip.

Upon the resignation of James A. Jasper as supervisor of the third district Governor Pardee appointed Mr. Foster to the position February 5, 1906, and he has since served in that capacity with characteristic fidelity and intelligence. While in politics he favors Republican principles, in local matters he sinks partisanship beneath citizenship, and strives to promote only such measures as will benefit permanently the county to whose welfare he is so deeply devoted. By membership in the Chamber of Commerce he also has been influential in promoting local business prosperity. By his marriage he became allied with an old and honored family of his county, his father-in-law, Joseph Swycaffer, having been one of the oldest citizens and most interesting per- sonalities of the county. In Bellona, San Diego county, Mr. Foster was united in marriage with Miss Martha Swycaffer, a native of old San Diego. Two children bless their union. The

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son, Arthur M., superintends the ranch at Foster, and the daughter, Mrs. Lula Mckenzie, resides at La Jolla.

Ever since his initiation into the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in 1883 Mr. Foster has been a leading worker in that organization, in lodge, encampment and canton. Besides being past grand of San Diego Lodge No. 153, and a past officer of Centennial Encampment No. 58, he served in 1900 as grand patriarch of the Grand Encampment of California and in 1901 and 1902 was chosen representative to the Sov- ereign Grand Lodge at Indianapolis and Des Moines respectively.

GEORGE HANNA. It is doubtful if any resident of Hollywood is identified with more business interests than Mr. Hanna, his capacity and versatility well fitting him to be a leader in large undertakings. As early as 1895 he with others organized the West Los Angeles Water Company. One of the most wide-reaching de- velopments undertaken by this company was the securing of water in the Fernando valley, not only furnishing Hollywood with a free supply, but also securing water for all parts of the valley. During the latter part of 1895 it was reorganized as a private company, of which Mr. Hanna was a stockholder and the manager up to August I, 1905, when he sold his stock and interest in the company. This has since. been reorganized and is now known as the Union Hollywood Water Company. Another interest which has profited by Mr. Hanna's superior knowledge and experi- ence is the Security Land and Loan Company of the San Joaquin Valley. The company own about three thousand acres in the valley which has been subdivided and sold to settlers for farming purposes. The company is capitalized at $1,250,- 000. A number of towns have sprung into be- ing throughout the tract, the largest and most im- portant of which is Corcoran, in Kings county.

George Hanna is a native of the east and can trace his ancestry back many generations; he was born in Salem, Washington county, N. Y., and is a son of Robert and Mary Ann (Rea) Hanna, the date of his birth being De- cember 18, 1845. When he was a lad of about nine years his parents migrated to the Mississippi valley, settling in Aurora. Ill., where he attended the public schools. Upon reaching mature years he became associated in business with his brother, the two carrying on a general store under the · name of Hanna Brothers for a number of years, and after the partnership was dissolved George Hanna carried it on alone for five years. The termination of this enterprise was followed by his removal to the west. where he has found a rich field for the exercise of his many capabilities.

It was in September of 1887 that he first viewed Los Angeles, seeing at a glance its future possi- bilities and at the same time deciding to remain and benefit by its prosperity. His first undertak- ing was the purchase of twenty acres in the vi- cinity of Vernon and South Park avenues, five acres being set out to oranges, five to peaches and the remaining ten acres in walnuts. After holding this tract for five years he sold ten acres to the owners of the Ashton avenue home tract, and disposed of the remaining ten acres to the Huntington Land Company. The same insight into values and possibilities which prompted and carried to a successful completion his first un- dertaking proved an index to his later efforts, for whatever he attempts he brings to a successful issue.

While still a resident of Illinois Mr. Hanna was united in marriage with Miss Julia Mandigo, the ceremony being performed at the home of the bride on Christmas day of 1872. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hanna, the eld- est, Rea, being vice-consul to Amoy, China, while the daughter, Pauline, is still at home with her parents, whose residence on Prospect avenue is one of the most handsome structures in Holly- wood. Mr. Hanna purchased it before it was. completed and finished it according to his own tastes and ideas. The family attend the Congre- gational Church of Hollywood, and fraternally Mr. Hanna belongs to Hollywood Lodge No. 355, F. & A. M.

As yet no mention has been made of Mr. Hanna's mining interests, which though not as varied and numerous as his other interests are still important. The Bull Frog Mining and Mill- ing Company, in which he is a stockholder, is capitalized at $2,000,000. The company are the owners of the Bonnie Clare mine, an excellent producer, but as yet the railroad facilities are de- ficient. Mr. Hanna also owns mining interests in other parts of the country, and in fact his name is associated with almost every enterprise which has been promulgated in this section of the state for the past decade.

JOSEPH DAVID GILBERT. Yet another of the pioneer settlers who came to San Bernar- dino in the days of its infancy and shared its vi- cissitudes for over half a century was the late Joseph D. Gilbert. His death, which occurred August 19, 1905, was counted a public loss, for in the fifty-one years that he lived in this city he had formed many deep and lasting friendships. His widow still makes her home on the property which he bought upon coming to the state, which has since been platted and is now known as Gil- bert street, so named in honor of this pioneer set- tle".

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A native of the east, Mr. Gilbert was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., Mav 20, 1828. Until he was twelve years of age he was a student in the common schools of his native town, after which he became an apprentice under his father, who was a shoemaker by trade. The newly acquired business was not altogether to his liking, how- ever, but nevertheless he continued to follow it until he became of age, at that time taking up farming as a business more to his taste. It was about this time also that the family removed to the Mississippi valley, settling in Iowa, but a few years later, in 1852, they removed still further west, going to Salt Lake City. Upon coming to San Bernardino two years later Joseph D. Gilbert bought one hundred and forty-nine acres of wild land, little thinking that the town would grow up about him. After building a comfortable resi- dence for his family he added a barn and other buildings and otherwise improved the property until it ranked with the best in the vicinity. From time to time he sold off portions of it until of late years he had only twelve and a half acres. Here the widow lives alone, for all of her chil- dren are married and in homes of their own.

While a resident of Utah, January 8, 1854, Mr. Gilbert was united in marriage with Margaret M. Barney, who was born in Logan county, Ill., and is a daughter of Charles and Deborah (Rip- ple) Barney. From the age of ten years her life was associated with Council Bluffs, Iowa, her parents making their home there from 1844 until 1852, during the latter year settling in Utah. Five children blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert, all of whom are married and resi- dents of the state. Joseph D., Jr., is a gardener and nurseryman in Los Angeles; Ellen is the wife of Frank Mecham, a well-driller and farm- er, and they make their home in San Bernardino just east of the Gilbert homestead ; Emeline, Mrs. Oscar Weist, lives in San Bernardino, on C street ; Anna, who is the wife of Edwin Pine, lives in Rincon, Riverside county ; and Hattie, Mrs. L. E. Veroney, resides in Los Angeles.

DANIEL S. HAYWARD. Glen Doon orange grove, situated twelve miles southeast of River- side, bears a reputation as one of the finest groves of its kind in the entire state of California. It is said that oranges grown in this locality are pre- ferred to those grown on lower levels, and the owner of the grove, Daniel S. Hayward, is firm in the belief that no finer oranges are shipped from any point in the United States than those which go from his packing house to the eastern markets. On the land he has three thousand three hundred and fifty-three trees of the Wash- ington navel variety. Irrigation for the grove is secured by means of water pumped into a tank

of five thousand gallons capacity, from which it is turned between the trees as needed.

Mr. Hayward spends his summers in Minne- sota, where he is owner and proprietor of the Grand Central hotel at St. Cloud. He is a native of Maine and was born at Bangor April 28, 1854, being a son of Josiah E. and Mary (Gray) Hay- ward, natives respectively of Nova Scotia and Maine. During the year 1857 the family re- moved to Minnesota, where the father followed farm pursuits and engaged in the lumber indus- try. Eventually he turned his attention in 1863 to the hotel business, buying a hotel property at St. Cloud, Minn., and for years sustaining a rep- utation for successful work in the occupation. He died at St. Cloud March 13, 1895, aged six- ty-nine years. His widow survives and makes ber home at the Minnesota residence of her son, Daniel S.

Daniel S. Hayward was educated in the public schools and in the State University of Minne- sota. At the age of twenty-six years he turned his attention to the logging industry ; a year later embarking in the wheat business. In 1892 he took charge of his father's hotel, the Grand Cen- tral at St. Cloud, which he still superintends, giving it personal attention during the summer months. In Minnesota he established domestic ties through his marriage, October 15, 1889. to Martha Patock, a native of Illinois. Their four children are, Josiah E., Laura Ellen, Daniel, Jr., and Martha Mary. In fraternal relations Mr. Hayward holds membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks at St. Cloud, No. 516, also with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Hiawatha Tribe of Red Men in the same city.

ISAAC L. HALL made his first trip overland to California in 1852. Spending nearly two years in the mines in the northern part of the state, he then returned to the east by water route. Land- ing in New York, he immediately went to Illinois, where he married. In 1857, one year after the birth of their first child, with his family he again crossed the plains with ox team. Mr. Hall was born January 31, 1831, in Fulton county, N. Y., the son of Ira B. and Elsie (Shepard) Hall, who removed with their family to Illinois in 1844, and in the public schools of this state the son received his education. The father engaged in farming in Illinois for several years, then settled in Iowa, where the death of both parents occurred.

Upon his arrival in California the second time Mr. Hall located in Plumas county and engaged in farming. He secured his first land from the government and gradually added to his holdings by purchase until he had in all six hundred and forty acres. He improved the land in every way,

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building houses and barns, engaging in the rais- ing of grain, hay and cattle. Oroville, ninety miles distant, was in those early days the nearest trading town, the supplies being carried to and from the ranch by mule train. The first wheat brought into Plumas county was delivered there by Mr. Hall, who raised it in the Sacramento val- ley. After residing on this ranch in Plumas county for thirty-nine years he removed to Avon, Wash., where he engaged in a general merchan- dising business until 1899. Next he resolved to make Southern California his home, and coming to the Perris valley purchased the ten-acre ranch upon which he now resides, securing his princi- pal income therefrom by raising Leghorn chick- ens.

His marriage in 1855 united him with Cor- delia, daughter of Edwin and Sarah (Hill) Lee, of Canada. During the Patriot war her father enlisted on the Canadian side, his death occur- ring some time later at Chatham Barracks. He was a brother of General Robert E. Lee. After his death Mrs. Lee and family removed to Buf- falo, N. Y., thence to Illinois. There were in their family seven children: Howard lives with his parents ; Elsie died at the age of eight years; Amelia became the wife of Mr. Martin and now resides on a ranch joining that of her father ; John is a merchant in Avon, Wash .; Warren, of Perris valley, Joseph is a farmer in Washing- ton ; Mary died in Washington when twenty-four years old. Mrs. Hall's death occurred in Perris November, 1903, she having attained the age of sixty years.

Mr. Hall may be pardoned for taking consid- erable pride in his family. Politically he is a stanch advocate of the principles embraced in the platform of the Republican party, and he has al- ways taken an active interest in all matters con- cerning the public welfare. While residing in Plumas county he served as a member of the board of school trustees and was also at one time road overseer. As a man who has lived a long life with honor and success he is but receiving his just dues when he is accorded the highest esteem and respect of his fellow citizens.

JACOB HANNA. The original inception of the Rivera Land and Water Company was due principally to the efforts of Mr. Hanna, who be- came one of the leading spirits in securing its in- corporation and since has acted in the capacities of manager and secretary of the growing enter- prise. Although not a native Californian (his birthplace having been in Warren county, in the state of Illinois), he has been a resident of the west since childhood and by his progressiveness become a typical representative of the forces contributing to the remarkable development of

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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 190

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