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 3

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

USA > California > A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, also containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present, Volume II > Part 3

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The eldest in his father's family, Francis Cherrill Hannon, was brought to this section in infancy, his education being received through the medium of the public schools. At the age of eighteen years he went to Los An- geles and entered the employ of the Hellman- Haas Company, wholesale grocers, remaining with them for some time, beginning at the

bottom of the business and working up until he was placed in charge of the shipping office. At the age of twenty-one years he was appointed gauger of the United States rev- enue service in the southern district of Califor- nia, serving under Asa Ellis for three years. At the close of his term he was appointed deputy sheriff of Los Angeles county under Sheriff Gibson, and after serving one term was made chief deputy in the street depart- ment of the city of Los Angeles. His term ex- pired two years later, when he engaged in general contracting throughout Southern Cal- ifornia, taking street and railroad contracts for ten years. In 1904 he decided to take up agricultural life and accordingly leased the ranch which he now occupies, consisting of one hundred and thirty-five acres, where he has since dug two wells ninety feet deep each, and installed a thirty-horse power gasoline engine, with a capacity of one hundred inches. He gives his time to the raising of vegetables and berries for the wholesale markets, ten acres devoted to the small fruit, forty acres to vineyard and the remainder given over to vegetables.

In Los Angeles Mr. Hannon was united in marriage with Miss Frankie Crowley, a na- tive of Nevada county, Cal., and born of this union are two children, Ynez and Margaret. Politically Mr. Hannon is a stanch Demo- crat and at one time was a member of the Democratic city central committee of Los Angeles. He is a man of many splendid qual- ities of character, which he has displayed throughout his residence in Southern Califor- nia, and as a man and citizen has won the re- spect and esteem of all who know him.

JAMES B. CARROLL. Among the exten- sive, practical and progressive agriculturists of San Diego county, James B. Carroll, of Escon- dido, owner of a large and valuable ranch, holds a position of importance and influence. An active, capable business man, possessing a clear judgment and amply endowed with those qual- ities which constitute an honorable citizen, he is highly esteemed throughout the community, and takes genuine interest in the advancement of its prosperity and in the improvement of its moral, educational and social status. He is the son of the late Cornelius Carroll. The latter and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Egan, were both born in Ireland, and there spent their earlier lives. After their marriage they moved to the United States and were among the pioneer set- tlers of Wisconsin, and also lived for severa! years in Minnesota. From there they removed to Oregon, where Mr. Carroll followed the oc-

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cupation of engineer and merchant. Later he came with his family to San Diego county, Cal., and for a time farmed land in Mission Valley. Subsequently he located near Escondido, pur- chasing the place now farmed and occupied by his son, James B., and here successfully carried on his independent occupation until his death in 1885. His good wife survived him, passing away on the home ranch in 1898. Eight chil- dren were born of their union, four of whom are living, while four have passed to the world beyond.

James B. Carroll was born in Salem, Ore., but most of his life has been spent in San Diego county. After finishing his education in the San Diego public school he turned his attention to the pursuit of agriculture and assisted his father in the management of the ranch, which the latter had purchased about four miles from Escondido. He now has about eight hundred acres of fine valley land, and is extensively engaged in rais- ing stock and grain, being one of the largest and most successful ranchers in this section of the county.

Living with Mr. Carroll on the parental home- stead are his three sisters, namely : Mrs. Hollan, Honora J., and Theresa Carroll. Honora J. Carroll has been a teacher, and was principal of the North Salem and North San Diego public schools, and has also taught music. Mr. Carroll is greatly interested in the welfare of town and county, voting irrespective of party in local :s- sues, but in national politics supporting the straight Democratic ticket. Fraternally he is a member of San Diego Lodge, Ancient Order of Hibernians.

BENJAMIN SOULARD VIRDEN. The identification of the Virden family with Amer- ican development dates from the year 1620, when one of that name immigrated to this country from Holland and settled in the vicinity of Dover, Del. The original house occupied and owned by the family is still standing, a veritable landmark of the far distant past. Later generations remained in Delaware and wielded considerable influence in their localities. The lineage descends from Samuel Virden, a man of wealth and high stand- ing, to his son, Peter, a native of Delaware, but during early manhood a planter near Jackson, Miss., and a staff officer in the Civil war. At the close of that struggle he established his fam- ily in Philadelphia, Pa., and engaged in busi- ness in that city, but ultimately returned to Dela- ware, where in 1900 he passed away at his Dover home. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Emma Clocey, was born in Pennsyl- vania of French descent and' was connected with the Soulard family of St. Louis.

Seven children, all but one of whom are living, comprised the family of Peter and Emma Vir- den. One of the sons, Edwin, carries on a drug business at Santa Paula, Cal., and is a leading citizen of that town. Another son, Benjamin Soulard, was born at Jackson, Miss., March 7, 1866, and as a boy lived in Philadelphia and Dover, and attended the Wilmington Academy in Dover. From youth he has been familiar with the drug business, his first experience being gained with W. C. A. Loder, on Sixteenth and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia. After one year as a student in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy he went to Savannah and to other points in the south, where for several years he was employed as a drug clerk. On his return to Philadelphia he opened a drug store on Twenty-third and Pine streets, but disposed of the business after one year.

On coming to California in 1888 Mr. Virden engaged as a clerk for his brother at Santa Paula, but soon went to Ventura, where he re- mained for two years in a drug store. During 1892 he embarked in the drug business for him- self at Saticoy and for some years he continued in that town. At the time of the founding of Oxnard he came to the new town and rented a lot containing a cabin of most primitive appear- ance. In that building he started the first drug store in the place. Subsequently he replaced the original building with one of brick, 25x60 feet in dimensions, and conveniently arranged for the conduct of his drug business. His attractive residence in Oxnard is presided over by his wife (a native of Ventura county, and formerly Josephine Kelley) and its pleasures are en- hanced by the presence of their children, Hazel C., Ruth M., and Benjamin S., Jr.

The movement which resulted in the incor- poration of Oxnard had in Mr. Virden a stanch supporter and one appreciative of the benefits accruing therefrom. At all times he has favored measures for the development of the city's re- sources and the introduction of modern improve- ments conducive to the comfort and health of the citizens. Since 1902 he has officiated as clerk of the board of school trustees and mean- while has been a stanch friend of all plans for educational development and for the elevation of the system of public schools. The Citizens Club, an organization highly beneficial to the town, numbers him among its directors. Strongly Democratic in his sympathies, he has aided his party by working as a member of the county cen- tral committee and by acting as a delegate to the state convention. After coming to the coast he was made a Mason in Hueneme Lodge and later identified himself with Oxnard Lodge No. 341. F. & A. M. Beginning as a Roval Arch Mason in the Ventura Chapter, he later hecame

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

a charter member of Oxnard Chapter No. 86, of which he acts as high priest. In addition he has become associated with Ventura Command- ery, K. T., and Al Malaikah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Los Angeles, and also belongs to the Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias.

CLAUS A. JOHNSON. Many generations of the Johnson family followed agricultural pursuits in Sweden, where, on a farm near Boras, Elsborslaen, occurred the birth of the gentleman whose name introduces this article and who for some years or until his death, followed the oc- cupation of a contracting mason at San Diego. His parents, John and Sophia (Anderson) John- son, left their native land when somewhat ad- vanced in years and came to the United States, settling at San Diego, where the father died in April, 1905; the mother still makes her home in this city. Their only child, Claus A., was born April 25, 1861, received a public-school education in Sweden, and at the age of fourteen years en- tered upon an apprenticeship to the general mer- cantile business in his home town. April 25, 1881, on the twentieth anniversary of his birth, he landed in New York City after an unevent- ful voyage across the ocean. From New York he proceeded west as far as Illinois, where for more than a year he was employed in the factory of the Illinois Steel Company at Joliet, Will county. On leaving that place he was apprenticed to the mason's trade in Joliet, but within a few months removed to Chicago, where he completed the trade. In 1886 he began to take contracts for mason work and in time became extensively interested in the erection of large structures.

Overwork in the interests of his occupation undermined Mr. Johnson's health and for that reason he relinquished his work in Chicago, after which he removed to California and trav- eled throughout the southern part of the state until he was able to take up active work once more. Securing land ten miles east of San Diego in Spring valley he planted citrus and deciduous fruit trees and improved a valuable orchard of nineteen acres. The house on the place was erected by him, and other improvements are also the result of his handiwork. In order to secure water for domestic purposes and for irrigation he piped a conduit from the mountains, this giv- ing him the very finest quality of water and greatly enhancing the value of his orchard. In 1899 he commenced to take contracts for stone and mason work in San Diego, and thereafter made San Diego his home and business head- quarters. Among his important contracts was that for all of the brick work at Fort Rosecrans, and he also had the contracts for the Pickwick

theatre, the American National Bank building. and the Fox-Heller block.

While living in Joliet Mr. Johnson married. Miss Clara Johnson, a native of Sweden. They became the parents of seven children, namely : Frank, who was associated with his father, in contracting ; Clara and Ellen, who are now study- ing nursing in the Battle Creek Sanitarium ; Fannie, Richard, Ida and Adelena, who are at home. For several years Mr. Johnson served as a school trustee in the Spring valley district while he was making his home on his fruit farm. His political views were somewhat different from those expressed by the bulk of the American voters and brought him into sympathy with the Socialists. After coming to San Diego he identi- fied himself with the Chamber of Commerce, while fraternally he belonged to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. Upon the organization, June 30, 1904, of the Scandinavian Society of San Diego (in the founding of which he was actively interested) he was chosen the first secre- tary of the body and at the expiration of the term was honored with the office of president, which he filled acceptably up to the time of his death.

MRS. SARAH BLAIR SCOTT. For many years a resident of Oceanside, Mrs. Sarah Blair Scott is well known throughout the community in which she resides, and has the sincere respect and esteem of her neighbors and friends, who have ever found her a kind, genial, helpful com- panion, always ready to aid the needy and cheer the afflicted. A daughter of William Blair, she was born in Ireland, of honored Scotch ancestry.

William Blair was born and brought up in Scotland, being reared to farming pursuits. He removed to Ireland when a young man, and from there immigrated with his family to the United States, settling in Maryland, on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay, near Baltimore, where he resided until his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Hester Moore, spent her entire life in Ireland, dying in early womanhood. Of their six children, three are living, Sarah, the special subject of this sketch, being the fifth child in order of birth Three of the sons served in the Civil war, William B., of San Jacinto, Cal., serv- ing in an Illinois regiment; Thomas, living in Chapin, Ill., also serving in an Illinois regiment ; while John, who enlisted in an Illinois regiment, was killed while in service.

But three years of age when she came with her father and the family to Maryland, Sarah Blair lived there a few years, and then went to Spring- field, Ill., where she completed her education in the public schools. In December, 1877, she mar-

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ried Frederick Woodruff, a native of Louisville, Ky., and they began life together in Tracy, Minn., where Mr. Woodruff was first engaged in farming, and afterwards in business pursuits. Coming to California in 1890, he was engaged in the butcher business at Oceanside until his death, in 1892. In 1894 Mrs. Woodruff married for her second husband Levi L. Scott, who was a soldier in the Civil war. In 1891 Mr. Scott removed from Iowa to San Diego county, locat- ing in Oceanside, where he opened a barber shop, which he conducted successfully until his death, in 1901. He was an industrious, enterprising man, well liked and highly esteemed, and be- longed to the Masonic order. Mrs. Scott has lived retired since the death of Mr. Scott, having a cozy home on Second street. She is a woman of strong personality, and is a firm believer in the tenets of the Christian Church.

WILLIAM H. FREER. No more pro- minent family than that established in Califor- nia by William H. Freer holds rank among the representative citizens of Los Angeles county, the name being especially well known and esteemed in El Monte and vicinity. The pioneer, William H. Freer. was a native of the middle west states, his hirth having occurred on the little Miami river in Ohio, February 5, 1814. He was a son of Jonathan Freer, who was born in North Carolina. and became a pioneer settler of Ohio, where with his wife, formerly Hannah Swords, of Virginia, he en- gaged in farming. He finally removed to Randolph county, Ind., and thence to Missouri, locating in Atchison county, where his death eventually occurred. His wife survived him for many years, her death occurring in Cali- fornia. William H. Freer engaged as a farmer in Atchinson county, Mo., in which state he was married and in 1849 came across the plains to California with his family, consist- ing of his wife, three children, his mother, two sisters and two brothers, one of the brothers dying en route. They traveled by ox-teams via the Truckee ronte and were five months making the journey, traveling continuously from May to October. Their first winter was spent on the Stanislaus river in San Joaquin county, where Mr. Freer engaged in making saddle trees. In the spring of 1850 he lo- cated in Santa Clara county at Berryessa, and on Penetentia creek, three miles from San Jose, purchased a small farm and began work as a farmer and horticulturist. In 1851 he tried mining for a time, but not caring for the life he soon returned to his ranch and as time passed continued to add to his first purchase until he owned one hundred and seventy-five

acres. In the meantime, in 1869, he had made a trip to Southern California and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of the old Dalton tract. In 1875 he decided to locate here permanently and accordingly brought his family to the property, one and a half miles north of El 'Monte, the land lying on the banks of the San Gabriel river and being ex- ceedingly fertile. He improved the ranch by the erection of a fine residence, barns and out- buildings, good fences, and the setting out of fruit. walnuts, etc. Later he purchased three hundred and seventeen acres of the old Tibbett place, paying $5,000 and selling it during the boom of 1887 for $72,000. He was a very successful business man, combining good judg- ment with decision of character, which en- abled him to see and take advantage of the many golden opportunities presented in the early days of the state. His death occurred February 16, 1902, removing from the com- munity a citizen highly esteemed and one whose place could never be filled.

In Grundy county, Mo., November 25, 1840, Mr. Freer was united in marriage with Zerelda Stucker, who was born in Indiana, March 15, 1824. a daughter of John and Susanna Stucker, natives of Woodford county, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Freer became the parents of the follow- ing children : Alexander. who died in Los An- geles county in 1870: James B., a resident of El Monte: Ellen, who died in infancy in Missouri : Matilda : Jonathan Perry. who died in 1861 ; John H., residing at Arcadia; Martin, located on the old home place: Hannah, who became Mrs. Dobbins and died in Tehachapi ; Thomas, a resident of El Monte : Delilah, Mrs. Lowry, who died in the home in 1887; Mary L., wife of Thomas Stucker, of Los Angeles ;. Julia, who died in Santa Clara county when one year old: and Jackson, and Lee both of El Monte.

JOHN WESLEY SMITH. Distinguished for his bravery. courage and coolness on the field of battle, John W. Smith, of Fernando, won for himself an honorable record as a soldier dur- ing the Civil war, and is now just as faithfully performing all the duties devolving upon him as a public-spirited, enterprising citizen. A native of Maryland, he was born February 5, 1839, in Baltimore, where he lived until fourteen years old. obtaining his education in the city schools.

Removing then to Illinois, he followed farming until 1862. when he enlisted, at Peoria, in Com- pany B. Eighty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Sharpshooters, which was assigned to the Third Brigade, Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps. Subsequently he took part in thirty-six

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battles and in numerous skirmishes, being at first with the Army of the Cumberland, and later marching with Sherman to the Sea. The last battle in which he participated was that of Ben- tonville, N. C. He took part in the Grand Re- view at Washington, D. C., where his division was awarded the first premium. He was fortun- ate in war, receiving no wounds of consequence, although while crossing Shepard's Run, after the battle at Missionary Ridge, he was injured in the right hip and for a time was confined to the hos- pital. He was also under the care of a physician for some days on account of being sunstruck.

Having been mustered out of service at the close of the war, Mr. Smith returned to Illinois, where he continued in his agricultural work un- til 1888, being quite successful. Coming then to Fernando, Cal., he purchased a lot in the village and erected a dwelling house, which he occupied until the erection of his present residence, when he sold it at an advantage. Mr. Smith delights in an active life, and is now kept busily employed in setting out and pruning fruit trees, an occupation in which he is an adept.

While a resident of Illinois Mr. Smith married Delia Sitzer, and they are the parents of five children. Sheridan M., of Fernando, married Bertha Hoyt, and they have four children, Lyle, Clifford and Clinton (twins) and Floyd; Grace E., Mrs. Niblock, of Los Angeles, has one child, Nina ; and Frank M., Ida C. and Ernest T., are all deceased.

JEAN TILLAT. Born in the Pyrenees mountains, in France, December 25. . 1869, Jean Tillat was the son of Joseph and Marie (Hauquet) Tillat, both natives of the same place, where they passed their entire lives. They had one son and one daughter, Jean be- ing the younger child. He was reared on his father's farm and alternated his home duties with attending the common schools. He re- mained at home until he was twenty years old, when, in 1889, he came to America, crossed the continent and located in Los An- geles. He was qualified only for farming at that time and shortly after his arrival secured employment on a farm in the vicinity of Santa Monica, beginning at the bottom and patient- ly working his way round by round to a bet- ter position. He engaged in general farming and the sheep business for some time, when he went to Arizona and there accepted a po- sition as commissary on a large sheep ranch in the northern part of the territory. After five years he returned to California and was located for a time in Los Angeles. With his accumulated means he decided to engage in- dependently in sheep raising and accordingly

purchased a band of sheep in Arizona and brought them to California and herded them in Los Angeles county. For four years he continued at this work in partnership with Anton Barth, of Los Angeles, after which they sold out and dissolved partnership.

In 1906 Mr. Tillat bought his present ranch of twenty acres near Arcadia, known as a part of the Sierra Vista tract, and began its im- provement and cultivation, erecting a com- fortable home, barns and outbuildings. He was married in Los Angeles to Miss Cather- ine Martinez, who was also born in the Py- renees and they have one daughter, Mary Louise. Mr. Tillat belongs to the French Be- nevolent Society of Los Angeles. Politically he is a stanch adherent of Republican princi- ples. He is liberal and enterprising and held in high esteem by all who know him.

CLEASON AMBLER. For a radius of many miles surrounding the village of Mesa Grande the name given above is well known, for not only is Mr. Ambler postmaster of the village and clerk of the county, but as propri- etor of a general store in Mesa Grande he has won many friends and well-wishers by his courteous treatment and straightforward busi- ness dealings. He is a son of E. P. and Mary A. (Willingmeyer) Ambler, both natives of Pennsylvania, their home now being in St. Louis, Mo., where the father is engaged in in- stalling steam and hot-water heating plants.

Among the six children that were born to his parents Cleason Ambler was the eldest, and was born in Belleville, St. Clair county, Ill., July 21, 1873. Scholastic privileges were not lacking in his boyhood years, and be it said to his credit that he made the most of his oppor- tunities. He first attended the public schools of St. Louis, was later graduated from the high school, and still later took a three-year course in the manual training school of that city. For a short time after leaving school he held a clerkship in the same city, but subsequently for two years assisted his father in his business. After attaining his majority he determined to strike out in the world on his own account and the year 1895 witnessed his arrival in Califor- nia. Mining and prospecting claimed his at- tion for the first two or three years, after which he was interested in the cattle business in Yuma, Ariz., for a time. Going from there to Granite, Mont., he secured employment with the Granite Bi-Metallic Company, and during the three years of his association with the com- pany gave excellent satisfaction as foreman of the works.

In the meantime Mr. Ambler has established

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domestic ties by his marriage with Carrie B. Stone in 1899. Locating with his family in San Diego in 1901, Mr. Ambler purchased the stock and good-will from one of the merchants of the town, and three months later added to his first purchase by buying out another store. Upon selling out his interests in San Diego two years later he came to Mesa Grande and in May, 1903, purchased the general merchandise store of which he is now the proprietor. Con- trary to his father's political belief Mr. Ambler is a Democrat, and takes considerable interest in all matters that affect the public welfare. While a resident of St. Louis Mr. Ambler be- came a member of the Baptist Church, and he still adheres to the faith of that body of be- lievers. His wife, however, is a member of the Christian Church, holding membership in the church of that denomination in San Diego. Sev- eral fraternal associations claim Mr. Ambler's membership, prominent among being the Elks and Masons.

ANTHONY CLARENCE RECHE, JR. There are many fine ranches in San Diego county that as regards productions and im- provements will compare favorably with any other in this part of the state. A large num- ber of these places are owned by men com- paratively young in years, who started in the world with but little more capital than an un- limited amount of energy and perseverance, and who are succeeding to an eminent degree in their agricultural labors. Prominent among this number is Anthony C. Reche, Jr., whose father, Anthony C. Reche, Sr., was a pioneer of this place, and gave to Fallbrook its present name. He is a native and to the manner born, his birth having occurred June 24, 1873, on a farm not far distant from the one that he now occupies.

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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 3

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