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 23

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

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Having acquired his elementary education in the common schools of Iowa Falls, Iowa. D. N. Dodson served an apprenticeship at the printer's trade in Fort Dodge, Iowa, remaining there until twenty years of age. Going then to Texas, he followed his trade for six years, in the mean- time studying law. Being admitted to the Texas bar in 1878, he practiced his profession at Den- ton, Tex., for two years, and while there served as mayor of the city one term. He was after- wards a resident for a time of Clay county, Tex., and there was justice of the peace. Sub- sequently, in partnership with one of his brothers, he was for a year or more engaged in the print- ing business at Dallas, Tex. In December, 1887, he came from there to San Diego, Cal., and the following three years was similarly employed in that city. Subsequently locating in Escondido, he bought four hundred acres of wild land and, began the improvement of a ranch, at the same time owning and managing a newspaper at Otay. Disposing of all of his interests in that locality, he went to Alaska, investing his money in Yaka-

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tat claims, which proved worthless. Not in the least discouraged, Mr. Dodson, in company witlı a Mr. Patterson, then located in Valdez, Alaska, where he practiced law, and also served as notary public for a few years. Accumulating some money, he erected eight cottages, all of which were soon after entirely swept away by a sudden rise in the Glacier stream. Returning then to the States, he lived for six months in Washington, traveling for an insurance com- pany. Coming back to San Diego county, he started life anew, without money, rich only in friends and courage. With characteristic enter- prise he continued his labors, and in his pro- fessional career has met with eminent success. Four years ago he bought the Ramona Sentinel, which he has managed so ably, and while as- sisting the material and financial growth of the town, lias added to his own wealth, building a good residence here and accumulating other property. He takes an intelligent interest in everything concerning the public welfare, and is now serving as notary public.

In Denton, Tex., in 1880, Mr. Dodson married Tillie Cleveland, who was born in Missouri, and died in San Diego December 24, 1889, at the early age of thirty years. She was a woman of refinement and culture, greatly esteemed and be- loved by a large circle of friends, and was a member of the Baptist Church. Four children blessed their union, namely: Bruce, residing in Los Angeles; Clare, wife of Clarence M. Tel- ford, of Ramona, a carpenter and ranchman; Nellie, who died at the age of eighteen years, in Ramona; and William, seventeen years old, liv- ing in Glendora, Los Angeles county. Possess- ing the courage of his convictions, Mr. Dodson votes for the best men and measures, independent of party restrictions, and fraternally lie is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

HIMALAYA MINING COMPANY. Col- lectors of precious gems are today finding an al- luring field for study and discovery in the tour- maline, a beautiful and brilliant gem from Nature's treasure house which connoisseurs de- clare to be second only to the diamond. Like the diamond, the tourmaline is not found in paying quantities in many localities. Indeed, there hitherto have been but three fields to yield this gem, Maine and Connecticut in the United States and Ceylon in India. The gem has been found in Brazil and other countries, but not in sufficient quantities to render successful mining possible. Up to the present time the demand has far exceeded the supply, hence the discovery and successful development of new mines pre- sents points of great interest to those engaged in buying and selling stones and gems.

Recent important discoveries of tourmaline have been made in the Mesa Grande mountain district, fifty-four miles from the city of San Diego and thirty miles from the town of Foster, the nearest railroad station. Three companies have been pioneers in developing this rich field. namely : Tannebaum Mining Company, whose properties cover eighty acres; San Diego Tour- maline Company, forty acres; and Mesa Grande Tourmaline and Geni Company, seven hundred and eighty-four acres. It was in 1891 that Prof. George F. Kunz, while prospecting in Mesa Grande mountain, found tourmaline in distinct, isolated crystals, many of which were translucent and even transparent, with separate forms and perfect prisms. Though the rubelite predomi- nated, there were also to be found specimens made up of four or five distinct sections, re- sembling those at Haddam Neck, Conn., and Paris, Me .; while the Brazilian form is also to be found; with the exception that those have the interior of the crystal red inclosed in white, with green exterior, while the Mesa Grande crystals show green in the interior or yellow green in- closed in white, with the exterior red.

Ten years after making his original statement concerning this discovery Professor Kunz re- ported that $15,000 in gems had been taken from the mines, of which almost one-half were found within twelve feet of the surface although the best stone was taken out at a depth of fifty feet. Some of the stones he stated to have more bril- liancy than anything in the world with the sole exception of the diamond. In value the tour- maline ranges from $5 to $50 a carat according to quality and size. The rubelite tourmaline is taking the place, in a large degree, of the ruby. The demand continues to exceed the supply and there is every encouragement for stockholders in the various companies to push forward the work of mining with all the celerity possible, as the results cannot be otherwise than gratifying.

The Himalaya Mining Company, which lo- cated eighty acres in 1900, is owned by Lippman Tannenbaum of New York City, one of the largest importers of diamonds in the world. The general manager and superintendent of the com- pany's interests is J. Goodman Braye, Jr., who ranks as one of the expert tourmaline miners in the world and has a knowledge of the Mesa Grande mines exceeded by no one.

JAMES WEIR, president of the board of trustees of San Pedro, is also chief engineer of the San Pedro Lumber Company, besides which he is first vice-president of the Harbor City Savings Bank, in the organization of which he took an active part. He is a native of Mercer county, Pa., born September 21, 1860, the eldest

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of four children and the only one to locate on the Pacific coast. His father, George Weir, was a native of Scotland, from which country he immigrated to America and in Pennsylvania en- gaged as a farmer until his death. His wife, formerly Eliza Craig, was also a native of Scot- land.

Educated in the district schools, which he at- tended between the years of six and sixteen, James Weir, began the battle of life with a sub- stantial foundation upon which to built future knowledge. At the age of sixteen years he left school and accepted a position as apprentice to learn the trade of machinist, and upon his mastery of the work began a prosecution of his trade in Pennsylvania. He made that place his home un- til 1892, when he came to Madera, Cal., and en- tered the employ of the Madera Flume and Trad- ing Company in the capacity of engineer and machinist. He remained with them for about four years, when, in 1896, he came to San Pedro and accepted the position of chief engineer at the mill of the San Pedro Lumber Company. which was just then completed. This position he has subsequently filled with efficiency, and since the installation of the engine and machinery im- provements his responsibilities have been lessened considerably.

In this city Mr. Weir married Della Hann, a native of Indiana, and they are now the parents of two children. James and Mahel. Mr. Weir is prominent in fraternal eireles, being a member of San Pedro Lodge No. 332, F. & A. M., in which he was first initiated into the order, is also enrolled among the members as high priest. of San Pedro Chapter, No. 89. R. A. M., and is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. He has taken a deep interest in the development of San Pedro in 1902 being elected a member of the board of trustees for a term of four years, and two years later selected as president of the board. In 1906, at the April election, he was re-elected to his office and made chairman by the members which position he holds at the present writing. He is a man of ability and a citizen of worth, who is best appreciated where best known.

WILLIAM L. CLARK, superintendent of the Cleveland-Pittsburg Gold Mining Com- · pany and one of the most efficient and ex- perienced mining engineers of the west, has held his present position for several years, coming here from Colorado. The mine of which he has been given the charge has been in operation for perhaps one-half a century and is owned by the company named, whose main offices are in Pittsburg. The location of the mine is on a portion of the rancho Rincon

del Diablo of one hundred and thirty acres, situated two and one-fourth miles southeast of Escondido, and here he may be found busily engaged in the details of his work, which he superintends with business acumen and expert skill.

Mr. Clark was born in Pennsylvania, near Pittsburg, in 1859, and is a son of D. S. and N. H. (Long) Clark, the former of Scotch ancestry, and the latter of Irish extraction. During an early period in the history of the west Mr. Clark removed from the east across the plains with ox-teams and embarked in busi- ness in the then small village of Denver, with whose commercial development he remained identified until his death. His wife also con- tinted to reside in that eity as long as she lived. Their son, William L., was educated in the schools of Golden and at early age gained an excellent knowledge of mining. being es- pecially skilled in engineering work. When only sixteen years of age he became interested in mining at Leadville and later formed min- ing interests at Aspen. While making these two towns his headquarters he traveled over every part of the United States and Mexico where mines are to be found and was retained as engineer in many responsible connections. Later he took up work in the Cripple Creek mines, where he continued from 1892 until his removal to California in 1903. and since the Ist of August of the latter vear he has been in charge of the Cleveland-Pittsburg Gold Min- ing Company's interests at Escondido.

The marriage of Mr. Clark took place in As- pen. Colo., in June, 1889, and united him with Anna L. Girard, who was born in Pennsyl- vania and received superior educational ad- vantages. One child, a son. Girard, blesses their union. Mrs. Clark is a daughter of a pio- neer of 1849. J. B. Girard, who was born and reared in Pennsylvania, and at the time of the discovery of gold in California came west by wagon across the plains and engaged in min- ing. After a time he returned to the east and eventually settled in Colorado. When the Ancient Order of United Workmen became established in Pennsylvania he was one of the charter members of the original lodge and took a warm interest in the development of the fraternity. During the Civil war he ren- dered faithful service as a member of the Union army and later identified himself with the Grand Army of the Republic. He died in Aspen in 1891. In their church affiliations Mr. and Mrs. Clark are Episcopalians, but maintain liberal views and contribute as far as possible to all worthy religious movements without reference to creed or doctrines. In fraternal relations he holds affiliations with

George Affails

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the Masons, having been prominent in the work of Cripple Creek Lodge No. 96, A. F. & A. M., also a member of the chapter in the same city.

GEORGE A. HAILS. Prominent among the successful men of Ventura county is George A. Hails, a rancher located five miles southeast of Oxnard, where he has been a resident for nearly twenty years, establishing his personal fortunes on a secure basis and at the same time lending his aid toward the furtherance of all movements toward the general welfare of the community. Mr. Hails is a native of New England, his birth having occurred in Sudbury, Mass., September 23, 1856; his father, Richard Hails, was born in Newcastle-on-the-Tyne, and in young man- hood immigrated to the western world, where, in Sudbury (then Quincy) Mass., he engaged as a merchant tailor. He remained in that loca- tion until 1873 when he came to California and passed the remainder of his days, dying at the advanced age of eighty-four years. He is sur- vived by his wife, formerly Abbie Jones, who was born in South Lincoln, Mass., a daughter of James Jones, a native of the same vicinity and the representative of an old New England family, prominent in the history of that section. She resides in Santa Barbara at the present writ- ing. Of her children, Abbie resides in Santa Barbara ; Charles died in young manhood in that city; George Alvin is the subject of this review, and Mary, wife of John T. Torrance, resides in Santa Ynez, Cal.

The first seventeen years of George A. Hails' life were spent in his native state, where he re- ceived an excellent education in the pub- lic and high schools, fitting him for the work of his young manhood. In Oc- tober, 1873, he came with his parents to Santa Barbara, and shortly afterward secured employment on a ranch in Santa Barbara coun- ty. This occupation he decided to make his life work and from that time on he followed ranch- ing, being associated with his brother at Goleta. In 1887 he came to his present location, which was a part of the Scott estate, purchasing prop- erty upon which he has since placed all of the improvements. He has erected a handsome and modern residence, commodious barns and out- buildings, has his property well fenced, and the land in a high state of cultivation. He has set out a fine orchard as well as numerous shade trees, which greatly enhance the beauty of the place. For a time he was engaged in the raising of grain and stock, but has since devoted the greater part of his time to the cultivation of beans and beets, in which he has met with suc- cess. In addition to the one hundred acres he owns

he also rents one hundred and fifty acres, the entire property being devoted to beans and beets. His methods are strictly modern and up-to-date, his interest keen in the science of farming, and in the conduct of his farm has well earned the position he holds among the ranchers of Ventura county-that of a progressive and enterprising farmer.

In Goleta, Santa Barbara county, Mr. Hails was united in marriage with Miss Ettie Kenyon, a native of Michigan and the daughter of Ger- don Kenyon, who became a pioneer rancher in the vicinity of Goleta. They are the parents of three children, Mary E., Eva M., and Elsie I. Mr. Hails has not allowed his personal affairs to so engross his attention as to render him value- less as a citizen, but has instead interested him- self on all questions of the day and has kept closely in touch with progress along all lines. He is specially active in educational interests, and since the organization of the Oxnard Union high school district has served as a member of the board of trustees, assisting materially at the time of the erection of the high school building. He has also served as a member of the Ocean View school board of trustees. Fraternally he is iden- tified with the Knights of Pythias and the Fra- ternal Brotherhood, while politically he gives his stanch support to the principles advocated in the platform of the Republican party. The support of the family is given to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Hails is a member, although all charitable enterprises, whether denominational or otherwise, receive financial aid from them. Mr. Hails merits the high esteem in which he is held by all who know him, either in a business or social way, for he has carried into active practice his belief in stanch principles of integrity and honor. Pleasant and courteous in demeanor, he has won many friends who appreciate him for his sterling traits of character.

P. H. BARTRON is a native of Tioga county. N. Y., and was born April 19, 1842. Taken by his parents to Potter county, Pa .. he there had the advantages of the public schools, of a prac- tical agricultural training and an apprenticeship at well boring, which he has followed at inter- vals during his entire active career.

Mr. Bartron was nineteen years old when the proclamation of Abraham Lincoln fell like a clarion call upon the heart of every able-bodied son in the land. Enlisting in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Infan- try, he served for three years, taking his part in camp, on the march and in battle until dis- abled. This injury necessitated his retention in the hospital at West Philadelphia for three

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months, after which he rejoined his regiment and participated, among others, in the battles of Get- tysburg, The Wilderness, Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg. He was a brave and fearless soldier, and during his career accumulated a fund of interesting information.

After the war Mr. Bartron engaged in lum- bering in Pennsylvania for about four years, and in 1871 removed to Wisconsin, where the Eau Claire river offered excellent opportunity for the same industry. The following year he married Elsie Dodge, a native of Wisconsin, and soon afterward returned to Pennsylvania, where he worked in a grist and saw mill for a couple of years. In 1878 he brought his family to California, settling on land near Hanford, Kings county, where he lived three years, and from where he came to Santa Barbara county during the summer of 1881. He liad, in the meantime, both made and saved money, and this he invested in property which is devoted to pas- ture, hay and stock-raising, besides which he owns lots in Santa Maria.

Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bartron. Elison is the wife of J. H. Mahurin; Myra D. is the wife of John Grant; Bert is at home ; Isabelle is the wife of John Aubert ; and Ethel, James and Roy live with their parents. Mr. Bartron is a Republican in politics, but confines his political activity to casting a conscientious vote. He is a member of Foote Post No. 89, G. A. R., and Mrs. Bartron is a member of the Woman's Re- lief Corps. Mr. Bartron's reputation is based upon practical efforts as a farmer and well borer, upon courage as a soldier, and honesty as a citi- zen of a prosperous and moral community.

JOHN BARTLEY SMITHSON, JR. The present deputy sheriff of Needles, Cal., John B. Smithson, Jr., is the descendant of English an- cestors on the paternal side, but it is not definitely known when the family was first rep- resented in this country. It was prior to the birth of the grandfather, Allen F. Smithson, however, for it is known beyond a doubt that he was born in Mississippi. Leaving the south with his family in. 1846 he started for the west, his son, John Bartley Smithson, Sr., then being a lad of about five years. Several years were spent in Colorado and Utah, and it was not until 1850 that they finally reached San Bernardino, Cal. Here they found the Indians more numer- ous than white settlers and as a matter of safety they built a fort as a retreat for the women and children. John B. Smithson, Sr., well recalls these pioneer conditions, and as he was of an age to be of service in driving the teams he proved a valuable assistant. Subsequently he en- gaged in teaming and farming in this locality,

following this dual occupation for nineteen years, and in the mean time accumulating considerable land. At one time he owned four hundred and eiglity acres, set out to apples principally, al- though he also raised other fruits and vegetables in addition to managing a dairy. With his wife, formerly Miss Jane Cadd, he is now living re- tired in San Bernardino, loved and respected by many who are familiar with his long and in- teresting career.

Of the large family of children born to these parents ten are now living and of these John Bartley Smithson, Jr., is the second, his birth occurring in San Bernardino September 18, 1868. During his boyhood and youth he attended the public schools of his home town, and as soon as old enough and when his school duties would permit, he worked for his father, assisting him in freighting and caring for the home ranch. Subsequently he accepted a position in the Atchi- son, Topeka & Santa Fe boiler shops in San Bernardino, filling the same until 1901, when he relinquished it to engage in business for him- self. Seeing a good opening ahead in running a line of teams to the mountains he secured the necessary teams and outfit and for about two years, or until May, 1903, carried on a very profitable business along this line, giving it up on the date last' mentioned, however, to accept his appointment on the police force of San Ber- nardino. In January of the following year he was promoted to his present position as deputy sheriff and special officer for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, having charge of the station at Needles, and to which he devotes his entire time and attention.

The family home however is in San Ber- nardino, at the corner of Ninth and I streets, and is graciously presided over by Mrs. Smith- son, who before her marriage was Miss Florence Case, a native of this city and the daughter of James H. Case. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Smithson is brightened by the presence of one child, Lois Alene, who is the joy and pride of her parents and will receive every advantage in their power to bestow. Fraternally Mr. Smithson af- filiates with the Woodmen of the World, and also with San Bernardino Parlor, N. S. G. W., and in his political belief he is a Republican. Personally he is well liked for the many fine traits of his character, which is in keeping with his stalwart and well-built frame.

MILLS BROTHERS. California is rich in the possession of men of ability and enterprise who have given their best efforts toward the material growth and progress of the state. Among these prominent mention may be made of two native sons, the Mills brothers, Francis

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E. and Edward T., located in the vicinity of El Monte, and actively engaged in the improvement and cultivation of a fine walnut grove. Their father, E. T. Mills, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1833, their grandfather, Abel, being a native of the same state and the descendant of Eng- lish ancestry. E. T. Mills engaged as an assist- ant in his father's business, which was that of a miller, until he was seventeen years old, when he came to California; he outfitted with ox- teams and in company with a large train set out across the plains for the Mecca of the fortune hunter's dreams. They had many exciting and fearful experiences during the journey, running out of provisions, which forced them to eat mule meat in preference to starvation. They finally abandoned their wagons and made the remainder of the journey as best they could, arriving in Hangtown after several weary, trying months, where Mr. Mills found employment in the mines. After several years in this occupation he came to Southern California and in San Bernardino county engaged in lumbering. Following his marriage there he removed to Los Angeles county and became a pioneer settler of El Monte, where he followed farming and stock raising, and also conducted a freighting busi- ness between Los Angeles and San Bernardino before the railroads supplied the early hotels of the former city. He always retained an inter- est in the mining operations of the state. He was a stanch Republican, an ardent advocate of all upbuilding enterprises, and foremost in what- ever looked toward the betterment of the com- munity. His death occurred in 1887, while his wife, formerly Mary Margaret Cleminson, a native of Missouri and sister of James Clemin- son, whose history appears elsewhere in this volume, passed away in 1879. They were the parents of three children, Francis Eugene, Ed- ward Theron and Imogene, Mrs. Thompson, of Azusa.

Francis Eugene Mills was born on the Clem- inson place in El Monte, February 5, 1860, while Edward Theron Mills was born on the present site of the high school building of this town, July 10, 1862. They were classmates in the public schools of El Monte, studying to- gether, playing together, and as early as 1875 began working land together. They leased land in the vicinity of El Monte and engaged in general farming and the raising of grain, which occupation proved successful and gave them means, with which, in 1884, they began the im- provement of ten acres of land. Slowly adding to this property with their accumulated means they have now thirty acres, finely improved and capable of the highest cultivation, all devoted to apples and walnuts, which make of the prop- erty one of the fine groves of this section. They

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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 23

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