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 30

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

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Southern California. After living for a short time in Ventura he purchased his present ranch, of which he took possession in 1893, and has since been profitably employed in its management. He has two hundred and fifty-five acres, about fifteen of which he devotes to the raising of apri- cots, the remainder being sowed to grain or planted to beans. He makes a specialty of dry- ing apricots, selling on an average eight or nine tons of dried fruit a year. He deals to some extent in stock, raising cattle for the market, and in his agricultural and horticultural opera- tions is very successful, raising profitable crops and disposing of them advantageously.

In August, 1901, Mr. Binns married Flor- ence Lloyd, who was born in California, but as a girl spent several years in Nebraska, return- ing to this state when twelve years of age. Mr. and Mrs. "Binns have two children, Alice and Helen. Politically Mr. Binns is an independent voter, casting his ballot in favor of the men and measures he deems best, unhampered by party restrictions, and socially he is a member of the Fraternal Aid Association of Simi. Religiously Mr. Binns belongs to the German Reformed Church, and Mrs. Binns is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

THOMAS BOYD. The Santa Maria valley claims no more successful rancher than Thomas Boyd, whose property is admirably located, ly- ing six miles from the village of that name. Of the four hundred acres comprising the ranch twenty acres are in apricots, while the remainder is in grain and beans, the latter commodity pro- ducing nine sacks to the acre.

A native of Ireland, Thomas Boyd was born in County Fermanagh June 25, 1850, being one of nine children born to his parents, Edward and Mary A. (Stephenson) Boyd, both also na- tives of the Emerald Isle. Mrs. Mary A. Boyd died at the early age of thirty years, and some time afterward the father was again married, this union resulting in the birth of six children. He passed away in his native land when in his sixty-fourth year, in the faith of the Established church, of which he was a member, as was his first wife also. Thomas Boyd has two brothers who are residents of California, besides two half-brothers. He himself was reared and edu- cated in his native land until twenty years of age, when he took upon himself the responsibili- ties of his own maintenance. Crossing the At- lantic in 1870, he arrived in New York City in due time, and for about two years engaged as a stone mason and stone setter in that metropolis. Frugal in his habits, he laid by from his earnings whatever remained over and above actual ex- penses, and thus it was that he was enabled to

David A Kughen

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come to the west in 1872 for the purpose of set- tling here permanently. In order to familiarize himself with the methods of farming in this country and furthermore to enable him to look about for a choice location he worked out as a ranch hand for about two and a half years, the greater part of the time in the vicinity of San Jose, Santa Clara county. Coming to the Santa Maria valley in 1874 he lived on rented land for a time, but later took up a quarter section. Subsequently he sold half of the tract, but in 1880 purchased three hundred and twenty acres adjoining the remainder, the whole combining to form his present ranch of four hundred acres. The land was in its primitive condition at the time it came into his possession, so that all of the improvements which have been necessary to bring it up to its present state of development are the work of his hands. All of the buildings are of a substantial character, and are in keep- ing with the family residence, which is one of the most elegant and up-to-date houses in the valley.

In 1884 Thomas Boyd was united in marriage with Miss Emma Griffith, who is a native of the state, having been born in San Jose. Six chil- dren were born to them, but of these two died in infancy, and those now living are: Edna, the wife of J. F. Bradley ; Elmer and Ruth, both of whom are attending school; and Emma Bernice. In his political views Mr. Boyd favors Republi- can principles, and fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, belonging to Santa Maria Lodge No. 340, F. & A. M. Mrs. Boyd is a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church of Santa Maria, toward the support of which Mr. Boyd contributes freely, in fact no worthy ob- ject fails to number him among its supporters, for he is a lover of his fellow-man and adopted home and appreciates to the fullest degree what both have meant to him in his struggle for a competency during the past thirty-two years.

DAVID A. KUGHEN. Holding a note- worthy position among the active and enter- prising men who settled in Los Angeles when that thriving city was in its infancy is David A. Kughen, now a well-known and highly es- teemed resident of Burbank. For many years he has been prominently connected with the agricultural and horticultural interests of Burbank and its vicinity, contributing his full share towards the industrial prosperity of the place. He is a man of great integrity and worth, keenly alive to the need of encourag- ing and supporting all beneficial projects, and as a strong Prohibitionist is especially inter- ested in advancing the temperance cause. A native of Greene county, Pa., he was born,

August 9, 1839, in Wayne township, where he was brought up and educated, living there until seventeen years of age.

Going to Illinois in 1857, Mr. Kughen worked on a farm in Bureau county for four years, when he migrated to Warren county. November 8. 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, under command of the late Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, and served as a private until discharged on account of physical disability in 1862. Return- ing to Warren county, he remained there un- til 1866, when he came as far west as Mon- tana, residing there until 1883. During this time he was actively and prosperously en- gaged in ranching and mining until the spring of 1881, when he embarked in mercantile pur- suits. Coming to Southern California in 1883, he opened a grocery store in Los Angeles, which was then but little more than a village, and for two years carried on quite a business, when he sold out, turning his attention to real estate, which was then booming. Moving to San Bernardino county, in 1887, he purchased one hundred acres of wild land and immedi- ately began its improvement, setting out twen- ty acres to oranges and lemons. Selling his ranch in 1891, he once again became a resi- dent of Los Angeles, and for a time was there engaged in the grocery business. Locating in Burbank in February, 1894, he bought his present ranch of thirty-five acres, situated one-half mile west of the village, at the same time purchasing his residence property in the village, where he has since made his home. On his ranch he has seven acres of walnuts, and the remainder of the land is in alfalfa and general farming. He is very progressive, us- ing the most approved modern methods em- ployed by scientific agriculturists, and in 1898 installed on his ranch the first pumping plant used for irrigating purposes in Burbank. He now rents a part of his land for the growing of small fruits and berries, and in the manage- ment of the remainder is meeting with char- acteristic success. In 1906 he disposed of ten acres.

In February, 1882, in Missouri, Mr. Kug- hen married Elizabetlı Lovely, and of their union six children were born, namely: Flora Elizabeth, a student in Occidental College ; Cassie Pearl, deceased ; David L., John Thom- as Whitman, who died December 31, 1905: Maude Hope: and Glenn Omar. From 1864, when he cast his first presidential vote, until 1895 Mr. Kughen was an earnest supporter of the principles of the Republican party, but since that time he has been one of the lead- ing Prohibitionists of Los Angeles county and an active worker in party ranks. Both him-

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self and his wife are faithful members of the Christian Church, in which he is serving as an elder, and toward the support of which he is a liberal contributor.

FRANK GISLER. The experiments of re- cent years have proved that much of the land in Ventura county is well adapted for the rais- ing of beans and beets, and thus these two crops now form the principal products in a certain portion of the county. To an amateur the raising of these two products presents many formidable obstacles, and success only comes after repeated failures and discouraging ex- periences ; yet in the end, to those who thor- oughly learn the business, no occupation pre- sents greater opportunities for the earning of a neat income as the result of a year's applica- tion and energetic devotion to the work. Per- haps few men in the county have a more thor- ough knowledge of the growing of beans and beets than Mr. Gisler possesses and as a re- sult of his sagacity and energetic application he now owns one of the finest farms in the vicinity of Oxnard.

A native of Canton Uri, Switzerland, Frank Gisler was born January 17, 1872, being a son of Max Gisler and a brother of Joseph Gisler, well-known among Ventura county's agricult- urists. When he was about seven years of age he accompanied his mother to America, joining his father in California, and here he was sent to the public schools until he had acquired a fair English education. When only a small boy he began to assist his father and in youth was the possessor of a thorough prac- tical knowledge of agriculture. With his brother. Joseph, in 1893 he began to farm on the Jack Hill place, where more than four hundred acres were placed under cultivation to grain and beans. Later he was employed at Springville for one year and in 1897 he and his brother leased four hundred acres of the Patterson ranch, where they made a specialty of raising grain and beets. With the money thus earned in 1900 they bought one hundred and fifty-seven acres, known as the Clemens ranch, lying just north of Oxnard, and here they found themselves the owners of very fer- tile land. well adapted for beet-raising. On the division of the property in 1905 Frank re- ceived about seventy-five acres of plow land, and in addition he and his brother own fifty- six acres of beet-land at El Rio, the income from the two properties amounting to a grati- fying sım.

The marriage of Frank Gisler was solemn- ized at El Rio April 8, 1901. by Rev. John Pajol, and united him with Miss Grace East-

wood, a sister of Ernest Eastwood, in whose sketch the family history appears. Mrs. Gis- Icr is a daughter of George J. Eastwood and was born in Ventura, received an excellent education in the county schools, and after leaving school held office as deputy in the El Rio postoffice, of which her mother was then postmistress. Mr. and Mrs. Gisler are the parents of one child, Raymond. The family hold membership with the Santa Clara Catho- lic Church and contribute to its maintenance and missionary enterprises, as well as to other movements for the benefit of their community and the uplifting of the human race. While Mr. Gisler has not identified himself actively with politics and has not displayed any par- tisan spirit in his opinions, yet he stanchly ad- vocates Republican principles and by his bal- lot gives support to the party and its platform.

HERBERT ALFRED BURDICK. As the oldest business man in El Monte Herbert A. Burdick has witnessed and participated in the development and upbuilding of the town and community and is still actively interested in all public affairs. He was born in Cortland county, N. Y., February 18, 1855, the second in a fam- ily of seven children, five sons and two daugh- ters, of whom four sons are now in California. The father, Amos, was also born in that place, as was the grandfather, Joseph, who as a fron- tiersman engaged as a hunter and trapper, and in summers as a farmer. Amos Burdick fol- lowed his early training and became a farmer, in young manhood removing to Wisconsin, where he enlisted in Company B, Thirteenth Regiment Wisconsin Infantry, and served in the Civil war for three years and nine months. Returning to civic life he located in Milton, Rock county, and pursued agricultural lines until his final removal to California, where he located in Pomona, thence returning east and dying in North Loop, Neb. His wife was in maidenhood Martha Spencer, who was born in Cortland county, N. Y., a daughter of Oliver Spencer, who as a carpenter passed his entire life in the state of New York. Mrs. Burdick died in Modesto, Cal.

Herbert A. Burdick was reared in Wisconsin and in North Loop, Neb., and was educated in the public schools. Reared upon a farm, he con- tinued this occupation when starting out for himself. He later homesteaded property in Greeley county, after which he went to Sheridan county and entered land and improved a farm. eventually owning two large and well improved farms. Having learned the blacksmith's trade in the meantime he built a shop in Rushville and worked at his trade. In 1888 he came to Cali- fornia and located in St. Helena. Napa county,

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

remaining there for one year, and then came to El Monte and leased the shop which he is now conducting, two years later purchasing the same and continuing in business to the present writing. In 1896 he rebuilt the shop, installing an eight horse power engine, and added to his equipment until he now has the best equipped blacksmith shop in El Monte. He has also built a residence here.

In North Loop, Neb., Mr. Burdick was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Elizabeth McDow- ell, a native of Michigan, and they are the par- ents of two children: Lester, engaged in the plumbing business in El Monte, and Thisba. Fraternally Mr. Burdick is a member of the In- dependent Order of Foresters, the Ancient Or- der of United Workmen, Modern Woodmen of America and Fraternal Brotherhood. In religion he is a member of the Seventh Day Adventists, belonging to the Los Angeles church of this de- nomination. Politically he is a Republican.

ALBERT HADLEY. In the financial cir- cles of Whittier and the surrounding country no name stands out in greater prominence than that of Hadley, two of whose representatives. Wash- ington and Albert (father and son), organized the First National Bank of Whittier October 1, 1900, under national laws, and have since held the positions of president and vice-presi- dent respectively in the institution, the son be- ing now the general manager of the entire bank- ing business controlled by the company. In ad- dition to his connection with this solid institu- tion he acts as a director of the Whittier Sav- ings Bank, which also is in a flouishing condi- tion ; and furthermore he has been on the direc- torate of the Whittier Home Telephone Com- pany. During the existence of the Whittier Light and Fuel Company he was its president and manager, holding that office until the plant was sold to the Edison Electric Company.

A native of Annapolis, Ind., Albert Hadley is a son of Washington and Naomi ( Henley) Had- ley, and a grandson of Micajah Henley, a promi- nent Quaker of Wayne county, Ind .; also a grandson of Jonathan and Ann (Long) Had- ley, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Virginia. When the family lived in Parke county, Ind., Albert Hadley had the advan- tages offered by Bloomingdale academy, and in early manhood he served as a clerk in the office of the treasurer of Parke county for a year. His first knowledge of the banking business was acquired while acting as errand boy in the Parke County Bank. During the four years of his employment by the bank he was promoted to be hookkeeper and teller. On resigning the latter position he removed to Kansas and in October,

1865, assisted in organizing the National Bank of Lawrence, in which he first held the position of bookkeeper and later was teller, assistant cashier and cashier successively, being with the same institution for twenty years. During the period of his residence in the town he was for two years associated with the Lawrence Sav- ings Bank, but at the expiration of that time he returned to the National Bank. Besides his other connections he was identified with the Western Farm Mortgage Company, a local in- stitution of Lawrence, in which he officiated as a director. Though not a partisan he was a stanch believer in Republican principles and while in Lawrence consented to fill the office of deputy city treasurer for one term, but with that exception he refrained from any participation in local politics.

On the removal to Denver, Colo., of the main office of the Western Farm Mortgage Company, Mr. Hadley bore an active part in the work and assisted in establishing the organization in its new quarters. It was his intention to remain with the company at Denver, but the altitude proved injurious to his health and for that rea- son he sought a more favorable climate in re- moving to California in 1890 and settling at Whittier. Immediately after coming to his new location he secured the position of paying teller and assistant cashier of the National Bank of California, in Los Angeles, in which later he was promoted to the cashiership. After an ac- tive association of eleven years with that insti- tution he resigned on account of ill health and for a year relinquished all activities, but on the expiration of that time, having partially recov- ered his former strength, he again assumed business relations with a bank, this time begin- ning his connection with the institution in which he is now an officer.

The marriage of Mr. Hadley was solemnized at Rockville, Ind., and united him with Mary J. Brown, who was a member of an old New York family and died at Los Angeles in 1900. Three children survive her, namely: Freder- ick W., who by gradual promotions worked his way up to be paying teller in the National Bank of California and is now assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Whittier ; Meda N., who was educated in the Marlborough school, Los Angeles, and died in Los Angeles Novem- ber 3, 1903, at the age of twenty-two years ; and Mildred M., a graduate from the Marlborough school, and now a student in Stanford Univer- sity at Palo Alto. The family are identified with the Whittier Congregational Church, in the organization of which Mr. Hadley was an active worker and to which he has been a gen- erous contributor. In fraternal relations he is connected with the Masons and Ancient Order

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of United Workmen. A man of varied talents, strong of mind, keen in analytical powers, quick in decision, energetic in action and resourceful in ideas, he has been a promoter of the per- manent prosperity of Whittier and has accom- plished much in behalf of its banking interests, its religious upbuilding and its educational de- velopment.

ALBERT G. BARTON. Worthy of repre- sentation in a volume of this character is Albert G. Barton, an esteemed and highly respected resident of San Pedro, who has been active and influential in the upbuilding of this section of Los Angeles county, and has been somewhat prominently identified with public affairs. A son of James Harvey Barton, he was born, in 1838, in Eaton township, Lorain county, Ohio.

A native of New York state, James Harvey Barton was born and brought up there, but in early manhood settled as a wheelright in Lorain county, Ohio. Following the march of civili- zation, he went to Wisconsin in 1845, and taking up a tract of land in Cottage Grove, Dane coun- ty, improved a fine farm. Retiring from active pursuits in his old age, he spent his last years in Stearns county, Minn., at the home of his son Albert, of whom we write. He married Eliza Bassett, a native of New York, and a daughter of Samuel Bassett, who subsequently settled as a pioneer in Ohio. She died on the home farm in Wisconsin. Of the five children born of their union, five grew to years of maturity and three are now living. Two of the sons served in the Civil war, namely: Sylvester, who served in a Wisconsin regiment during two terms of enlist- ment, and Albert G.

About seven years of age when his parents re- moved to Wisconsin, Albert G. Barton was brought up on a farm, and educated in the dis- trict schools of Dane county. Going to Minne- sota in 1858, he worked in what is now Kandi- yohi county for about four years. In the fall of 1862 he enlisted in Company D, Minnesota Mounted Rangers, and until mustered out, a year later, was employed in subdning the Sioux Indians. Re-enlisting, in the spring of 1864, in the Minnesota Independent Battalion Volunteer Cavalry, he was located on the frontier for two years. Returning then to Stearns county, Minn., he was there extensively and prosperously em- ployed in farming and stock-raising for a num- ber of years. Deciding then to change his place of residence and his occupation, he came to San Pedro, Cal .. in 1883, and was here en- gaged in contracting and building for six years. Being appointed postmaster in 1889, he served for some little time after the change of admin- istration, in 1893. He subsequently carried on

general ranching at Altadena for a short time, but not satisfied in that part of the county soon returned to San Pedro, and having erected a good residence at the corner of Center and Santa Cruz streets has since made this his home.

In Melrose, Stearns county, Minn., Mr. Bar- ton married Emeline J. Foote, who was born in Ohio, and they are the parents of three chil- dren, namely: Mrs. Cora Evelyn McIntire, of Pasadena; Mrs. Alberta Adeline Nichols, of San Pedro; and Mrs. Ina Ozella Fawcett, of San Pedro. Politically Mr. Barton is an uncom- promising Republican, sustaining the principles of his party at every opportunity. Fraternally he is a Master Mason, and socially he is a mem- ber of Harbor City Post No. 185, G. A. R., of San Pedro. Religiously both Mr. and Mrs. Barton are valued members of the Episcopal Church.

GEORGE B. WEIDLER. Throughout Los Angeles county are many young men of promise, who are already important factors in developing and promoting the industrial prosperity of South- ern California, prominent among the number be- ing George B. Weidler, a poultry raiser and deal- er, living near Wiseburn. Endowed with a re- markable degree of energy and puslı, he is rapid- ly building up for himself a substantial business and winning an excellent reputation for ability and worth. A son of the late Samuel W. Weid- ler, he was born, in 1880, in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he grew to man's estate.

Born, reared and educated near Lancaster, Pa., Samuel W. Weidler resided in his native town until 1875, when he moved to Ohio. Locating in Cincinnati, he built the mill and warehouse that still bear his name, and successfully operated both until his death, in 1904. He married Mary A. Beal, a native of Ottawa, Canada, and they be- came the parents of three children, all boys, one of whom died in infancy, the others being George B., the special subject of this sketch; and Frank K., who is in business in Los Angeles, being a member of the Advance Buggy Company.

Inheriting considerable property from the par- ental estate, which was sold after the death of the father, George B. Weidler came to Los Angeles county, and in April, 1905, invested in land, buy- ing his present ranch, comprising thirteen acres, near Wiseburn. He has since erected some fine. up-to-date chicken houses, fenced off yards, and has already established a good market business as a raiser of full-blooded White Plymouth Rock chickens, catering to the high-class hotel trade in Los Angeles. His ranch is well improved, hav- ing a substantial residence, and a good barn, and all of the most approved modern conveniences for successfully carrying on his chosen work.

Charles C. Dom

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CHARLES I. DORN. As postmaster and general merchant of Moorpark, Ventura coun- ty, Charles I. Dorn is named among the repre- sentative business men of this section. Like many others of the men who are substantial citizens of California, Mr. Dorn is a native of the middle west, his birth having occurred in Ridgeway, Iowa, November 10, 1873. His pa- rents, Anderson and Arvilla (Reimay) Dorn, were also natives of Iowa, from which state they emigrated to California in 1879 and in Contra Costa county made their home for about nine years. Removing to Ventura coun- ty in July, 1888, they located in the Cuyama valley, where the last days of the mother were spent, her death occurring in 1898, at the age of fifty-six years. Subsequently the father re- moved to Bakersfield, where he died in 1902, at the age of seventy-eight years.

About six years old when his parents brought him to California, Charles I. Dorn re- ceived his education in the public schools of Contra Costa county, which remained his home until his fifteenth year. After locating in Ventura county he became interested in the oil fields, engaging in this business in both this county and Los Angeles county, and remain- ing so occupied up to within four years ago. At that time he took charge of the hotel which he had previously purchased at Fillmore and with a partner ran a livery business, conduct- ing. these combined interests for the period of two years. Severing his connections with Fill- more in 1904, he came to Moorpark and estab- lished a general merchandise business, carry- ing a very complete line of groceries, hard- ware, furnishings, and a general dry goods stock, and in addition buys and ships hay, grain and beans, doing a general commission business. He was appointed postmaster in 1904 and has since ably discharged the duties devolving upon him. He is a man of business ability, combined with good judgment and en- ergy, which have brought about his success in whatever line of work he has taken up.

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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 30

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