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 29

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

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It was while associated with his brothers in business that Mr. Lesem was taken ill. Local physicians were unable to give him relief, and after consulting the best-known practitioners of Chicago and New York he was still in the same condition. Disposing of his interest in the busi- ness in 1879 he returned to Bavaria, Germany, in the vague hope that in his native land he might find relief from the disease which had fast- ened itself upon him. He first tried Marien- bad, one of the renowned health resorts, but this treatment resulted like all previous ones, and it was at this time that his attention was called to the Kneipp water cure. As a patient in the san- itarium at Bavaria he soon began to note an improvement in his health, which not only greatly encouraged him in the hope of complete recovery but elicited his interest to such an extent in the system employed that during the eight months which he spent there he had become a convert to the belief that all diseases if taken in time could be cured by Nature's simple remedy. His re- turn to his home and friends in Illinois in 1881 was looked upon as a miracle, for when he left nearly two years before none expected to see him come back alive. Resuming business life, for several years thereafter he was located in Chi- cago occupied in looking after his interests there.

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The ill health of his wife made a change of climate a necessity at this time, and thus it was that his attention was drawn to the equable cli- mate of Southern California. He came to San Diego in 1887 and in 1888 established a merchan- dise business, which he continued to carry on for five years. During all of these years plans had been maturing for the establishment of a water-cure sanitarium, and in 1896 he opened the Kneipp Sanitarium of which he is now the pro- prietor in his residence at No. 2467 First street. Basing his belief in his treatment on the cure which was brought about in his own case he takes for his motto "What man has done man may do," and with this as his watchword he has carried on his humanitarian work for the last ten years with the greatest satisfaction to him- self, for he has the assurance that he has saved many lives and alleviated much suffering. No matter what the disease may be or of how long standing Mr. Lesem has absolute faith in his ability to effect a cure if the patient will be per- sistent and determined in following the treat- ment. Requests for admission into the sanitarium far exceeded the ability to furnish accommoda- tion, but with the erection and equipment of a new building this difficulty has been obviated. The long list of unsolicited testimonials which Mr. Lesem has received during the past years shows that his patients have not been confined to his home city or county, but on the other hand they have come from all over the United States and even from the British Isles.

While a resident of Quincy, Ill., Mr. Lesem was united in marriage with Theresa Greene- baum of Chicago, Ill., who was born in that city, where her family was well and favorably known. Of the children born to them five are living, as follows : Regina, now Mrs. Apple and a resident of Springfield, Ill .; Lillie, at home; Alexander M., who is a merchant in Danville, Ill. ; and James G. and Henry F., both of whom are in business in Chicago. Mr. Lesem was made a Mason in Chicago and still holds membership in the lodge there. His interest in the advancement and progress of his adopted city has from the first been one of his most noticeable characteristics. and the Chamber of Commerce of San Diego has no more interested member than he. In him also the Republican party has a strong ally. Mr. Lesem is a man who justly holds a high position in the community where he lives and is honored and esteemed for his recognized worth.

IV. WALTER COULTAS. Ranking high among the industrious, thrifty and well-to-do agriculturists of Ventura county is W. W. Coul- tas, who is engaged in his pleasant and profitable vocation near Oxnard. A hard-working, per-

severing man, one who observes and thinks for himself, he is meeting with genuine success in his labors, and as a man of integrity and honesty holds a good position among the leading citizens of the town. A son of Benjamin Coultas, he was born February 3, 1846, in Scott county, III .. and was there educated. His father emigrated from England to Illinois, settling in Scott county, where he was engaged in farming and stock- raising until his death, at the age of fifty-five years. On first coming to this country he was identified with the Whigs, but was afterwards a Republican in politics. In Illinois, in 1836, he married Sarah Clark, who was born in England, and died in Ventura county, Cal., at the ad- vanced age of seventy-seven years. Both he and his wife were members of the Church of Eng- land. Five children blessed their union, and of these W. W., the subject of this sketch, is the only survivor.

After completing his studies in the common schools of his native town, W. W. Coultas as- sisted his father on the home farm. At the age of eighteen years he started in life for himself, and in course of time became owner of a fine farm of two hundred acres in Scott county, and in addition to carrying on general farming was a large stock-raiser and dealer. In 1884 he sold out and removed to Sedgwick county, Kans., where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which he resided two and one-half years. Disposing of that property, he came to Ventura county in 1887, and the following six- teen years had the management of the one thou- sand-acre ranch belonging to his uncle, the late Thomas Clark. The estate being divided after the death of Mr. Clark, he has since purchased three hundred and thirteen acres. In addition to this he has other property in Ventura county, a ranch containing one hundred and forty-six acres of land lying near Oxnard, and has ten acres of valuable land in Toluca, Los Angeles county, in the center of the fruit belt. He de- votes his land to the raising of barley. ' He has some fine horses, keeping both driving and farm horses, in all having about thirty head of val- uable animals.

March 12, 1867, in Illinois, Mr. Coultas mar- ried Ruth A. Wells, who was born in Illinois, in 1840, and died in Ventura county, September 6, 1896. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Coultas thirteen children were born, namely: Luella M., wife of Samuel Chamberlain, of Toluca; Edith, wife of William Wheeler, of Sawtelle; Jessie, who died in infancy ; Albert W., of this county, who married Susie Chamberlain; Grace A., who died at the age of nineteen years; Theresa; Thomas; Alexander; Percy, who died in in- fancy: Bertha; Ventura: Frederick; and Ruth A. Politically Mr. Coultas is a stanch Repub-

L. Il Gaskill

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lican, and while in Kansas served as township treasurer, and since the building of the Union high school he has served as a member of the board. Fraternally he is a member of Oxnard Lodge No. 341, F. & A. M., and of Oxnard Chapter No. 86, R. A. M. Religiously he be- longs to the Christian Church, with which he united in Illinois.

LUMAN H. GASKILL. The name of L. H. Gaskill belongs among those noble citizens who braved the dangers of the pioneer days and swept them successfully from his path and gave the first impetus toward the great- ness of California statehood. He was born in Steuben county, Ind., July 17, 1843, a son of Cortland Gaskill a pioneer throughout his entire life. The elder man was born in New Jersey, inheriting the sturdy traits of his Scotch ancestors which induced him to face fearlessly the trying conditions of frontier life. In young manhood he located in the state of New York and engaged in stage driv- ing until 1835 when he removed to Steuben county, Ind., where he hewed a farm from the wilderness lands in that state. He eventually removed to Michigan whence in 1855 he came to California via the Isthmus of Panama. He engaged in the dairy business in Petaluma and later followed a similar occupation on the Russian river in Mendocino county. Finally returning to Petaluma he made that place his home until his removal to San Diego county, where he resided in Campo, the scene of his sons' activities, until his death which occurred at the age of eighty-seven years. His wife, formerly Theresa Brink, was born in Pennsyl- vania, a daughter of Moses Brink of Holland ancestry, and her death occurred in Sonoma county. They were the parents of six chil- dren, four of whom came to California, and three still surviving.

The early boyhood days of Luman H. Gas- kill were spent in his home in Michigan where his parents had located in the vicinity of Bat- tle Creek. He attended the public schools un- til he reached the age of fourteen years, when he accompanied his mother to California, the father having preceded them two years. They went to New York City and took passage on the Star of the West to Aspinwall, there crossing the isthmus and completing the voy- age on the old John L. Stevens and arriving in San Francisco in July, 1857. They were met by his father who took them to the home which he had established in Petaluma. There the youth engaged with his father in dairy farming and remained so occupied until 1861 when he with countless others joined the Com-

stock rush at Virginia City, Nevada. He en- gaged in prospecting and mining and the de- veloping of claims, owning three mines, one of which was the extension of the Warren Wells. They struck a sheet of ore that as- sayed $2,000 to the ton, but it was all worked out in a month, yielding only sixteen tons. Mr. Gaskill returned to California in 1866 and spent the ensuing year on the Russian river in Mendocino county. In 1867 he came south to Santa Barbara county, during the trip hunt- ing along the way, spending some time in Ventura county, and finally locating in San Bernardino where he engaged in gardening with his brother, the two entering a tract of one hundred and sixty acres at the mouth of City creek. They built a ditch and irrigated the land themselves and set out an orchard and vineyard. They remained in that location but one year when they removed to San Jacin- to and purchased one thousand acres and en- gaged in farming and bee culture. In the spring of 1868 they came to San Diego coun- ty, the two purchasing immense tracts of land in the vicinity of the present town of Campo, which place they established by building the first store, blacksmith shop, grist mill and other enterprises, and where for sixteen years Mr. Gaskill served as postmaster, was justice of the peace for twelve years and school trus- tee for twenty years, he and his brother build- ing the first schoolhouse at that place. They engaged in the raising of stock, their range extending into Mexico and Lower California, and as superintendent of their cattle inter- ests for six years Mr. Gaskill made his home in Ensenada where he also conducted a meat market. They were also extensively inter- ested in bee culture, having four different apiaries of about four hundred colonies which produced many carloads of honey, one sum- mer their crop being over thirty tons. They were the second largest apiarists in the United States, being exceeded in this enterprise by only their honorable old friend, J. S. Harbison of San Diego.

The cattle interests of the Gaskill Brothers were finally removed to the Colorado river where the sons of Luman H. Gaskill looked after their interests. In 1901 the cattle in- terests were disposed of and in January, 1902. the property in Campo was sold and partner- ship dissolved between the two brothers, when they both came to the city of San Diego and established their homes. Luman H. Gaskill purchased a residence on the corner of Third and Elm streets where he enjoys the com- forts and fruits of an industrious life and where his friends are ever welcome to his hospital- ity. He has invested his means in property

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in and about San Diego, among his posses- sions owning a fifty-five-acre ranch in Mis- sion Valley which he rents for garden pur- poses. Mr. Gaskill's home is presided over by his wife, formerly Miss E. J. Benson, a native of San Bernardino, and with whom he was united in marriage in San Jacinto. They are the parents of six children; Walter, a stockman in Lower California; Marion, de- ceased, was a business man in the city of Mexico; Carrie, wife of H. A. Jenkins of Cal- lexico; Erma, wife of P. W. Preston of Wash- ington ; and Ava and Leo at home. Politically Mr. Gaskill is a stanch adherent of the prin- ciples in the platform of the Republican party.

While the two brothers were engaged in their business interests in Campo they had many exciting experiences with Mexican des- peradoes, as the town was located on the border. It was frequently necessary for them to stand guard night and day. Both he and his brother, Silas E. Gaskill. were excellent marksman and owing to this the desperadoes were very careful in their method of attack. The most serious encounter which they ever had was on December 4. 1875. After the death of Vasquez, the leader of the desperadoes. Cruiz Lopez became the leader in his stead with his lieutenant, Chavez, who planned the attack on the Gaskill Brothers. On the day of the attack they left nine men standing on the hill in ambush, while six came to the store armed. Two of them came into the store where Luman Gaskill was showing merchan- dise, Lopez waiting at the door to give the signal to the three outside. Mr. Gaskill hap- pened to be looking up and saw the signal of Lopez and instantly shouted to his brother. who was on the outside of the store, and at the same time crawled under the counter for his gun. Before he could reach it the des- perado had jumped over the counter and in the struggle with Mr. Gaskill held him for Lopez to shoot. Just as the latter touched the trigger Mr. Gaskill twisted his body and re- ceived a ball in the lungs instead of the heart. but became unconscions for a short period. Lopez always prided himself on his marks- manship and did not fire a second time. In the mean time Silas Gaskill was having trou- ble on the outside, having dodged a mortal shot but received a wound in the side and arm. as he rushed for his gun in the rear of the shop. As the attack occurred, a Frenchman rode up and was wounded by a stray bullet from the effects of which he afterward died. He was not so disabled, at this time, however. as to prevent his firing at the miscreants. and raising his gun on the pommel of his sad- dle he shot Lopez, who died from the effects

of the wound a year later. Silas Gaskill hav- ing secured a gun rushed back to the attack and felled two men, one of whom was Theo Vasquez, who a few minutes later was shot and killed by Luman Gaskill from the inside of the shop; the other was Rafel Martinez who was only wounded. While these stirring events were taking place, Luman Gaskill re- covered sufficiently to take in the surround- ings and by an effort reached his gun and ob- tained a position that enabled him to shoot Jose Alvis. He then made his way around and under the store and shot Jesus Alveto just as he was mounting his horse to escape. Alvis and Martinez were captured and im- mediately hanged to a tree by the citizens of the place. Of the six desperadoes, Alonzo Coto was the only one not wounded and who also made his escape. He was never again heard of in this vicinity, but some time after- ward a man from Sonora passed through Campo who had run across Coto, who want- ed to know if the men were still alive that he had once called upon, remarking that he would not make a second visit. From him was learned of the death of Lopez which oc- curred about a year after the fight. When the affray was over the citizens of Campo telegraphed to San Diego for medical aid and Dr. Millard and the sheriff started for Campo immediately, making the seventy-five-mile trip in twelve hours via Tia Juana and Tia Carte Mexico without stopping to feed their team. In thirty days Luman Gaskill was suf- ficiently recovered to be out again, while Silas Gaskill was not even confined to his bed from the effects of his wound. The Frenchman, who was shot and who was the cause of Lopez's death, died in San Diego some time later.

Among his curios Mr. Gaskill has a large copper kettle made in 1710 from native cop- per which was hammered out over a boulder, the beating being done with a rock. It has a capacity of fifty gallons. The copper car- ries some gold and it is estimated there is about $150 worth of gold in the kettle. He has gathered about him many interesting souv- enirs of his early life in California, his remin- iscences making him an interesting and en- tertaining companion. His natural character- istics of courage and an indomitable will have led him into many dangers but have also brought him safcly through. His life has been an exciting one, but while he has enjoyed in experiences he has given his efforts toward a personal success as well as interesting him- self in the upbuilding and development of whatever section he has made his home. He

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is highly esteemed by all who know him and held in regard as a representative of the early pioneer.

JACOB RUDEL. One of the substantial ranchers of Los Angeles county and a man who has done much for the advancement of the wine and grape industry in this section, Mr. Rudel has with two associates, recently established a winery at a cost of $20,000. He is thoroughly in touch with the spirit of his work, and has succeeded in acquiring a success which places him among the substantial citizens of this local- ity. Born in Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, July 27, 1853, he is a son of Henry and Mary (Hartmann) Rudel, both natives of Germany, where they spent their entire lives as agricul- turists. the father passing away at the age of eighty-nine years and the mother at seventy- six. There were three children in the family, Jacob Rudel being the only one who came to America, a sister still surviving and making her home in Germany.

Jacob Rudel received his education in his native country, after which, at the age of eighteen years, he came to the United States, having previously learned the trade of coppersmith in Germany. While following his trade in New York City he attended night school in a fur- ther pursuit of education, which has proven of benefit to him in later life. After three years in the metropolis of the western world, he came to California and in Sacramento followed his trade for a railroad company in that city. He re- mained in that location for five years, when he came to Southern California, arriving in Los Angeles, where shortly afterward he established a coppersmith business for himself. . The pro- fits of two years enabled him to turn his atten- tion to more desirable occupation, and he accord- ingly invested his means in property in the country, first purchasing forty acres of raw land. to which he added from time to time, until he now has one hundred and thirty acres in one body, upon which he has set out a vineyard of one hundred acres. At the time of purchase all of the land was devoid of improvements with the exception of forty acres in vines, but with the industry and perseverance inherited from his forefathers he set himself to the task of bring- ing it to rank with the most highly developed ranches of this section. That he has succeeded cannot be doubted when viewed in the light of events. His initial venture as a manufacturer of wine dates back to the year 1885. and formed the nucleus of his present business. This was or- ganized in 1905 with himself as president. About one hundred thousand gallons of wine are turned out per year, and sold at wholesale to the east-

ern trade. The output from Mr. Rudel's vine- yard is not quite sufficient to supply the capacity of the winery and he therefore buys grapes from other producers in his section. He has put up substantial improvements on his property. a comfortable residence, barns and outbuildings. and has made it one of the model ranches.

In 1885, in Los Angeles county, Mr. Rudel was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Vogel. a native of Switzerland and a daughter of Jacob Vogel, a pioneer of Southern California now deceased, his wife still surviving and making her home in Los Angeles. They have two chil- dren, Millie, aged nineteen, and Atwood, aged seventeen. Mr. Rudel is independent along poli- tical lines, reserving his right to cast his ballot for the man he considers best qualified for of- ficial duties. He takes an active interest in the growth and upbuilding of Los Angeles, and is still a stockholder in the First National Bank of that city.

JACOB SECKINGER. Ventura county has many well-to-do and successful farmers who have accumulated what they have of this world's goods through their own individual efforts. Among this class Jacob Seckinger occupies a position of note. Living near the village of Ox- nard, he has a valuable ranch, and is industri- ously engaged in the prosecution of his indepen- dent calling, in which he is meeting with un- questioned success. A son of Thomas Secking- er, he was born, April 17, 1864, in Richland county, Ill., of thrifty German ancestry.

A native of Germany, Thomas Seckinger was reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1860 he im- migrated with his family to the United States, and finding in the rich prairie soil of Illinois an excellent place for following his chosen occupa- tion, he settled in Richland county, where he has since been employed in general farming, being now seventy-four years of age. In the Father- land he married Catherine Deimel, who died on the home farm in Illinois in 1894. at the age of sixty-five years.

Acquiring a practical knowledge of the vari- ous branches of study pursued in the common schools of his native county, Jacob Seckinger was subsequently well drilled in the art and science of agriculture by his father, remaining at home until after becoming of age. Coming to California in 1886, he was employed as a tiller of the soil in Santa Barbara for three years. Removing to the Santa Clara valley in 1889, he purchased forty acres of land, and by dint of earnest work improved a good ranch, which he afterwards sold at an advantageous price. In January, 1905, he purchased his present valuta- ble estate of one hundred and five acres, lying

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near Oxnard, and in its care and cultivation has met with satisfactory results. He makes a spe- cialty of raising lima beans, of which he has ninety-five acres, while on the remainder of his ranch he reaps excellent crops of alfalfa.

October 29, 1890, Mr. Seckinger married Laura Reiman, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Schneider) Reiman, with whom she came to this country from Germany when a girl. Immigrat- ing to the United States with their family in 1881, Mr. and Mrs. Reiman came directly to the Santa Clara valley, where he was engaged in general ranching until his death. His wife, an active woman of seventy-six years, now makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Seckinger. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Seckinger, three children have been born, Mary, Bertha and Elizabeth. Politically Mr. Seckinger is identi- fied with the Republican party, and religiously both he and his wife are members of the Catho- lic Church.

WV. C. BINNS. Standing high among the younger generation of thriving agriculturists of Ventura county is W. C. Binns, a well-known rancher and fruit-grower of Moorpark. With characteristic perseverance and diligent labor he is carrying on mixed farming with unquestioned ability and success, his property, with its many valuable improvements, ranking among the most attractive and desirable estates in this section of the state. A son of Rufus H. Binns, he was born, May 28, 1871, in Mahaska county, Iowa, where he grew to manhood.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, Rufus H. Binns lived there during his boyhood. In 1842 he went with his parents to Iowa, and when ready to choose a life occupation selected farming as the most congenial employment. In the years that fol- lowed he made a number of trips to California, and in 1892 settled permanently in Ventura county, where he owns property on which he is now residing. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs, in his earlier life be- ing identified with the Democratic party, and afterwards being a Populist. While in Iowa he was elected supervisor on the independent ticket, and served in that capacity three terms. In Iowa he married Nancy Griffee, who was also born and reared in Columbus, Ohio. She came to California with him, and died, at the age of fifty-one years, in 1896, at the home of her only child, W. C. Binns.

Educated in Mahaska county, Iowa, W. C. Binns attended first the public schools, subse- quently taking a course at the Oskaloosa Com- mercial College. Returning then 'to the home farm he remained beneath the parental roof- tree until December, 1892, when he came to

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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 29

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