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 26

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

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In October, 1894. Mr. Brinkerhoff married Miss Rose Brunton, a native of Kansas. They have no children of their own, but have taken into their home two little girls, Alice and Edna. Mr. Brinkerhoff is a nephew of George Nidever. who found an Indian woman on the Island of St. Nicholas, and to the best of all calculations she had been there about eighteen years. She had been taken there as a hostage and was the only one of the tribe left, the remainder having been killed by the Northwest tribe. Her dress was made of birdskins and sewed together with sinews. Mr. Brinkerhoff is a member of the Fraternal Aid, to which society his wife also belongs, and both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a stanch adherent of the principles advocated in the platform of the Prohibition party.

JOHN ENGEBRETSEN. One of the most successful and enterprising of the foreign- born citizens of San Diego is John Engebret- sen, who for years has conducted a general contracting business and has taken contracts for street paving, grading and excavating, with a specialty of cement work. At his office, No. 614 Fifth street, he superintends his work and furnishes estimates for all kinds of ce- ment and stone work, street paving, excavat- ing, grading and all kinds of hauling. His vards are at the northwest corner of H and Twelfth streets. During the busy season he furnishes employment to fifty hands and util- izes twenty-five teams, and the management of a business of such magnitude makes him one of the busiest men in his home city.

In the southeastern part of Norway, near the city of Drammen, lies the little hamlet of Harbro, where John Engebretsen was born March 5, 1858, being next to the youngest among eight children, only two of whom sur- vive. His parents, both of whom are de- ceased, bore the names of Engebret Petersen and Maren Olie Nilson, the latter being the daughter of a harness-maker. The father, who was born near Drammen, became an iron manufacturer at Harbro, but later engaged in the lumber business at Drammen, where he died. When the family removed to Drammen John was a small child and his education was principally received in the schools of that town. After leaving school he learned the lumber business. In 1880 he shipped on the bark Beta via Cape Horn to the Sandwich Isl- ands, where he landed after a voyage of more than four months. Eighteen months were spent on the islands, where he followed team- ing. In 1882 he shipped for California on the vessel Emma Augusta, and arriving in this state settled at Eureka, Humboldt county, where he secured employment at lumbering. In 1884 he went to San Francisco and from there to Martinez, Contra Costa county, where he learned the stone-cutter's trade. For one season, beginning in 1886, he operated the Concord quarries under lease.

On coming to San Diego in the fall of 1887 Mr. Engebretsen leased the quarry at Teme- cula and engaged in the cut-stone business, furnishing all the stone used in building in San Diego and shipping also to San Francisco. Af- ter a time the railroad between Temecula and Oceanside washed out and he then removed to San Bernardino, where he took contracts for street paving of a most important and sub- stantial character. The contracts were com- pleted in two and one-half years, and he then returned to San Diego, where he has since en- gaged in general and street contracting. Among his contracts have been those for open- ing and grading Logan avenue, Milton avenue. Elm street, Thirteenth street, L street, E street, Third street, Brooks avenue, Columbia street, Robinson avenue, Fourteenth street. Main street. India street and others; also he has had the contract for most of the grading at the Homestead, Point Loma, and roads in the county. The amphitheater, golf links. foundations, etc., at Point Loma are fine ex- amples of his skill and workmanship.

The first vacation which Mr. Engebretsen allowed himself from his work occurred in 1894, when he spent four months in the old country after an absence of many years. While abroad he visited the legation at Christiania and made a tour of inspection to many points

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of world-wide interest, besides enjoying a pleasant visit with those of his relatives and boyhood friends who still remained in Nor- way. His marriage took place in Los Angeles in 1895 and united him with Miss Augusta Pe- tersen, who was born in Norway and reared in Wisconsin. Her death occurred in San Di- ego April 2, 1896. For a decade or more Mr. Engebretsen has been identified with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows. During 1896 he was initiated in San Diego Lodge No. 153, in which he is past officer. Besides being a member of the Encampment and senior war- den of the same, he is past captain of San Di- ego Canton No. 22, and a member of the Or- der of Rebekahs. In religion he was reared a Lutheran and always has been in sympathy with the doctrines of that denomination. In national politics he votes with the Republican party. In 1896 he was appointed and com- missioned deputy consul at San Diego for Sweden and Norway and two years later was made acting consul pending his appointment and commission as consul, said appointment occurring April 29, 1901, confirmed by Secre- tary of State John Hay June 5, 1901. Since the dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden he has been instructed to continue to act as consul for each country, and was reap- pointed for Norway in 1906. On the organiza- tion of the Scandinavian-American Society of San Diego he became one of its charter mem- bers and since then has been actively inter- ested in its meetings and its work.

HENRY T. COOK is a native Californian and the son of one of the pioneer settlers of the. state. His father. John J. Cook, was born in Michigan, and his mother, who was Miss Mary · Ann Turley before her marriage, was a native of Canada. There were five children born to them, Henry T. first seeing the light of day one year after the emigration of the family to California. The father died at the family home in San Bernardino county when fifty-six years old, and the mother, who later made her home with this son, lived to be seventy-seven years of age. The birth of Henry T. Cook oc- curred February 9, 1863, in San Bernardino, and his education was received through the medium of the public schools of that city and Los An- geles county. After ranching in the San Joaquin valley for one year he removed to Hollister, where he remained for three years, and from there in 1876 moved to the Santa Clara valley of Southern California and purchased the ranch which is now his home. It comprises one hun- dred and twenty acres of as fertile land as there is in the valley, and of this he has ninety acres.

of beans, the rest being hay land. He has more recently planted sixty acres to walnuts, which will soon yield him a handsome income.

Mr. Cook's marriage united him with Sarah E. Wilkinson, who was born in Illinois, and to them have been born two children, both of whom are now married. William H. married Winnifred Huff, and Walter A. married Irene Stockton, and to them one child has been born. Mr. Cook is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Santa Paula, and takes a lively in- terest in political matters, being a member of the Republican county central committee. He is a hale fellow well met, highly respected and esteemed and in every way a successful business man.

ROY HOLCOMB. Prominent among the most popular, progressive and highly esteemed young farmers of Valley Center is Roy Holcomb, who is actively and successfully employed in agricultural pursuits. He is distinguished not only for the excellent New England ancestry from which he is descended, but a native born son of California, his birth having occurred Oc- tober 12, 1880, in Bear Valley, San Diego coun- ty, on the homestead of his father, the late Benajah Holcomb.

A native of New England, Benajah Holcomb was born in 1846 in Connecticut, where he was reared and educated. Public spirited and patriotic, he offered his services to his country during the Civil war, enlisting in Company I, First Connecticut Heavy Artillery, with which he was connected three and one-half years. Suf- fering the trials and hardships of army life, he lost his health, and soon after receiving his honor- able discharge came to California, hoping in this genial climate to regain his former physical vigor. He lived for a while in Mariposa county, but subsequently settled in San Diego county, taking up a homestead claim near Valley Center, and improving the ranch now owned and occupied by his son Roy. He engaged in dairying and grain- raising, living here until his death, in April, 1903. He was a man of sterling qualities of heart and mind, a useful and valued citizen, and his death was deeply deplored throughout the community. He married Nancy Holcomb, who was born in Illinois, and died on the home farm, at Valley Center in 1895. Of their union, seven children were born, namely: Clara, wife of H. Shelby, of Paradise Mountain ; Bertha, wife of Edward Hunter, of Randsburg; Nettie, wife of C. M. James, of Lusardi: Myrtle, living on the home ranch with her brother ; Ray on the home ranch ; Walter, of San Diego; and Roy, the special sub- ject of this sketch.

Receiving a good common school education,

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Roy Holcomb was subsequently .employed as a farm hand or surveyor for a number of years, always keeping busy. Since 1900 he has been carrying on general ranching on his own account, managing the old home farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Energetic and industrious, he is meeting with well merited success in his un- dertakings, and is carrying on general farming and dairying after the most approved modern methods, and though young in years has attained a noteworthy position among the prosperous ranchers of this part of the community. He shows excellent judgment in his business opera- tions, being regarded as one of the rising young men of Valley Center, and is in every way worthy of the respect and esteem accorded him.

In October, 1905, Mr. Holcomb married Allie Risdon, who was born in Kansas, a daughter of Nathaniel Risdon, now living in this valley. Mr. Holcomb is a stanch Republican in politics, as was his father, who was likewise a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

FANKHANEL BROTHERS. Recognized throughout the vicinity of Ramona, San Diego county, as enterprising and prosperous agricult- urists, H. O. and F. E. Fankhanel hold a posi- tion of note among the esteemed and respected citizens of their community. Although young in years, their energy and progressive spirit have placed them where they rightfully belong, and many men twice their years might be proud to lay claim to their achievements. Besides owning a fine ranch of three hundred and twenty acres stocked with high-grade cattle, they also rent a tract of three hundred and fifty acres devoted en- tirely to the raising of grain, all in all owning and managing one of the most productive ranches in the county.

Although the father, C. F. Fankhanel, was a native of Germany, at a very early age he was brought to the United States, growing up in an atmosphere of push and independence which de- veloped like qualities in himself and resulting in the accumulation of a large property. Ill-health, however, made inroads upon his constitution and means and a change of climate was the only al- ternative. Selling his farm of eight hundred acres in Butler county, Kans., in 1893 he started by wagon for California with his family. Innu- merable hardships confronted them on the jour- ney, and by the time El Paso, Tex., was reached it was deemed advisable to give up the original plan and complete the trip under less trying condi- tions. After disposing of the outfit they boarded a train for San Diego and reached their destina- tion without further inconvenience. As soon as Mr. Fankhanel's health would permit he once more became interested in agricultural affairs

and followed ranching throughout the remainder of his life. His death occurred December 16. 1899, at Barona Valley, at the comparatively ear- ly age of fifty-four years. His political sym- pathies were in accord with Republican princi- ples, but he was never ambitious to hold public office, preferring to discharge his obligations by way of casting a conscientious ballot. The wife and mother, before her marriage Jennie McLen- on, was born in Ohio and her marriage to Mr. Fankhanel was celebrated in Kansas. She is still living and makes her home with her sons. One daughter, Laura, was born in 1876, and is now the wife of George L. Frey, of Poway.

At the time of the removal of the family to California Henry Olvin and Frederick Earl Fankhanel were fourteen and eight years old re- spectively, the birth of the former occurring in Butler county, Kans., June 1, 1879, and the latter in the same place January 6, 1885. On account of the ill-health of the father their chances for an education were rather limited, and at an early age they began their self-support by working out or neighboring ranches. The father's death a few years later was a sad blow, but their previous ex- perience had prepared them to assume the re- sponsibilities which fell to their lot. By careful financiering they were enabled to purchase their present ranch near Ramona in 1903, and have since become known as progressive and thor- oughgoing ranchers in this part of the country. As was their father before them both are Re- publicans, and the elder son, H. O., is filling the office of school trustee and roadmaster in his dis- trict. San Diego county is fortunate in possess- ing two such progressive citizens as the Fank- hanel brothers, and judging from their early ef- forts and the results accruing therefrom it is not too much to expect that the coming years will find them among the most prosperous ranchers and successful business men in this part of the state.

JOHN FRANCIS. Twelve miles from Red- lands and located in the San Timoteo cañon is the ranch of twenty-three hundred acres operated by John Francis, one of the progressive and en- terprising dairymen and ranchers of this section of Southern California. He is proprietor of the T. C. creamery and in his work has proven him- self a reliable business man, prompt and accurate in his methods, courteous and obliging to all cus- tomers, and showing himself possessed of un- usual executive ability and shrewd judgment. May 10, 1866, Mr. Francis was born in Mont- gomery county, Wales, a son of John Francis. Sr., also a native of that place, where his death occurred some time since, having followed farm- ing throughout his life. He is survived by his

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

wife, formerly Ellen Manford, also a native of Montgomery county, Wales, where she now makes her home.

Of the three children born to his parents John Francis, Jr., is the only son and the eldest child; he was reared in his native country and educated in its public schools, where he continued until attaining the age of seventeen years, when he came to the United States anxious to make the best of the abundant opportunities offered here. He finally located in Iowa City, Iowa, and in the vicinity of that place followed general farm work. He was located in that place for about four years, when, in 1887, he came to California and in the vicinity of Los Angeles engaged in general farm- ing and dairy pursuits. Two years later he came to Riverside county and in San Timoteo cañon entered the employ of David Johnson, a dairy- man of this section, in the capacity of butter maker. With his accumulated earnings he was able four years later to buy out his employer's interests, and leasing land from Mrs. Clough he engaged in the dairy business and general farm- ing, operating twenty-three hundred acres, of which five hundred acres are tillable and the bal- ance is in pasture and alfalfa. Irrigation is sup- plied from twenty-five wells one hundred and sixty feet deep, and also from a ditch from the San Timoteo creek. He has a dairy of one hun- dred and seventy cows of Holstein stock, and a herd of cattle of five hundred head. The T. C. creamery is equipped with every modern de- vice for a successful conduct of this business, having a combined separator and churn with a large capacity, and the products are considered among the finest on the market.

In Los Angeles Mr. Francis was united in marriage with Miss Anita Hovera, a native of San Bernardino county, Cal., her father being a resident of this cañon. They became the par- ents of the following children: Herbert, Row- land, Gladys, Agnes and Anita. Fraternally Mr. Francis is associated with the Foresters of Nor- walk, and politically adheres to Republican prin- ciples.

E. M. WILLIAMS. One of the well-known and successful ranchmen of Santa Paula is E. M. Williams, who owns a property of two hundred and fifty acres of fertile land devoted to stock and the raising of beans. His father, Edward Benton Williams, was born in New York City. and his mother, who was Elizabeth Rogers before her marriage, was also a native of New York state. In 1855. when his son E. M. was an infant, the father came to California hy way of Panama, and in San Francisco was employed in the H. C. Hudson & Co. spice mill. In December, 1866,

he came to Ventura county, and in the vicinity of Saticoy engaged in agricultural pursuits. Twenty years later, in 1886, he removed to Santa Paula and since then he and his wife have made their home with their son E. M. The father is now in his eighty-first year, and both himself and wife are members of the Presby- terian Church. Both father and son affiliate with the Republican party and give it their loyal support.

E. M. Williams was born in Oneida county, N. Y., February 3, 1855, and was an infant when he was brought to California. He received his education in San Francisco and afterwards came to Ventura county and engaged in ranching near Saticoy, where he purchased a ranch in 1882. In 1895 he was married to Ida Hudson. who is a native of California, the daughter of John Hudson, her grandfather, H. C. Hudson, being the pioneer coffee and spice manufacturer of San Francisco. Mr. Williams is a member of the Fraternal Brotherhood Lodge at Santa Paula. and of the Presbyterian Church, both himself and his wife giving the latter their support as active members.

NORMAN ASHCROFT. The postal service of Hollywood, Los Angeles county, is under the able supervision of Norman Ashcroft, who has risen to his present position as the result of ef- ficient work while in the rural delivery service in this locality for a number of years, His initia- tion in the rural service dates back to the post- mastership of Philo J. Beveridge, and he also served under his successor, Hervey Friend. The resignation of Mr. Friend made a vacancy which Mr. Ashcroft was selected to fill, which came to him as a reward for faithful and conscientious work as carrier.

Mr. Ashcroft is the son of New England par- ents, Norman and Mary M. (Davis) Ashcroft, having been born in New York state and Maine, respectively. Before the birth of their son, how- ever, they had settled in the Mississippi valley, his birth occurring in Kankakee county, Ill .. February 19, 1870. With the education received in the schools of his native county he started out in business, first as a grocer and later as an em- ploye of the Adams' Express Company. Sub- sequently he held a position with Armour & Com- pany, where for three years he was in the time- keeping department. For five and a half years following he was car-shop clerk with the Pro- vision Dealers Dispatch, a position which he held up to the time of starting for the west. He left his Illinois home February I, 1900, and in due time arrived in Antelope valley, where he re- mained for about eight months. Coming to Hollywood at the end of this time, he became

John Burg

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

interested in ranching. a business which he car- ried on for about three years, or until giving it up to accept a position under the government as rural mail deliverer under Philo J. Beveridge. As has been previously stated his selection as postmaster of Hollywood followed the resignation of Mr. Beveridge's successor, Hervey Friend, and since February II, 1906, Mr. Ashcroft has given efficient service as chief of the department. Two rural routes radiate from Hollywood and carry mail into the outlying districts.

In Chicago, Ill., January 31, 1900, Norman Ashcroft and Libbie White were united in mar- riage. Mrs. Ashcroft being a daughter of Robert and Emma (Levy) White. The only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Ashcroft is Harold. The fam- ily occupy a commodious residence of ten rooms on Iowa and Wilson streets, Hollywood, which Mr. Ashcroft erected in 1905. Its location in the center of the best residence district in the city makes it a valuable piece of property, which is a credit alike to the owner and to the city. In their religious views Mr. and Mrs. Ashcroft are Baptists, and in the church of which they are members Mr. Ashcroft lias served as clerk. Politically he is independent in the casting of his vote, his ballot and influence both being given in favor of candidates and measures opposing the liquor traffic.

JOHN BURR. Prominent among the lead- ing agriculturists and fruit growers of Fer- nando is John Burr, who has had many years of practical experience in his chosen field of labor, and in his various operations has met with eminent success. Descended from a long line of honored Scotch ancestry, he was born, November 13. 1849, in Scotland, the country of industry, thrift and frugality.

Completing his studies in the common schools of his native land. John Burr subse- quently turned his attention to horticultural pursuits, for seven years working as a garden- er. Becoming proficient in his work, and de- siring to try life in the new world, he crossed the Atlantic in 1872, and immediately made his way across the continent to San Francisco. Locating soon afterward in San Mateo coun- ty, he secured a position as landscape garden- er with Senator Fulton, whose grounds he laid out in a most attractive and artistic manner. His ability in that line becoming known, he had no trouble in finding an ample amount of congenial work, and remained in that vicinity until 1884. Going then to Tulare county, he settled near Visalia, where he purchased a ranch of two hundred and fifty acres, a part of which he set out with vines, while on the re- mainder he raised wheat, continuing thus oc-

cupied for three years. Disposing of that property in 1887, he came to Fernando, Los Angeles county, with a view to locating here permanently. With two partners he bought forty acres of land and immediately began the cultivation of oranges and small fruits. The venture proving successful, he subsequently purchased the interests of his partners and has since carried on the business alone. From time to time he has bought additional land, and has at the present time sixty-two acres devoted to the growing of oranges, fifteen acres of olives, and in addition has a grain ranch containing one hundred and ten acres. He is constantly adding to the improvements on his home es- tate, which is one of the most beautiful and attractive in this section of the county, bear- ing visible evidence of the intelligence, ability and thrift of the owner.

In England Mr. Burr married Anna Phil- pott, and they are the parents of three chil- dren, namely: John and Charles, both resi- dents of Visalia : and William, living at home. Politically Mr. Burr is an active member of the Republican party, and as sheriff of Los Angeles county from 1894 until 1898, and as horticultural conimissioner for the county for one and one-half years, rendered excellent service to the people. In Masonic circles he stands high, being a thirty-second degree Ma- son : he is a member and past worthy master of Fernando Lodge No. 324. F. & A. M., also belonging to the Mystic Shrine of Los An- geles. In 1877, at Redwood City, he joined the Odd Fellows, and is now a member of the lodge at Fernando ; he also belongs to Los An- geles Encampment, and is a member of the In- dependent Order of Foresters.

GEORGE F. JACOBY. An active and prac- tical agriculturist, energetic and ambitions, George F. Jacoby is meeting with excellent re- sults in his chosen occupation. His ranch of eighty acres is pleasantly located at Valley Cen- ter. and from its thrifty appearance it is evident that he takes pride in his business, his land being finely improved and under a good state of culti- vation and well supplied with all the accessories of a first-class estate, having a substantial set of farm buildings and all of the needed machinery to facilitate the otherwise slow and tedious work of a farmer. A son of Herman Jacoby, he was horn, January 6, 1872, in Bloomington, Ill., but his childhood days were spent in Iowa.

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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 26

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