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 32

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

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While living in Mitchell county, Iowa, John B. Pratt married Julia Agnes Holbrook, a na- tive of Wisconsin. Three sons comprise their family, namely: Henry B., living near Ra- mona; Clarence L., who is interested in a store at Pacific Beach, Cal .; and Arthur Earl of Ramona. The eldest of the three sons was born in Mitchell county, Iowa, September 6, 1874, and in early boyhood was taken to How- ard county, Iowa, where he attended the pub-

lic schools. In 1892 he accompanied the fam- ily to California and soon afterward rented a tract of farm land. During 1901 he bought his present farm of thirty-six acres and in 1906 purchased eighty acres in the San Pasqual valley, besides which he rents two hundred acres which he has under cultivation to grain, with a certain portion utilized for the pastur- age of stock. Like his father, he is a thorough believer in the principles of the Republican party and always votes that ticket. For some years he has been actively identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at Ramona. His marriage was solemnized in the village of Ramona and united him with Miss Katherine M., daughter of John Sause, of Iowa. Mrs. Pratt was born in Iowa, but from girlhood has been a resident of Southern California, and remained in her father's home until her marriage, October 19, 1899, when the young couple began housekeeping on a rented farnı, later moving to a farm of their own. They are the parents of three children, Alice Marie, Agnes Flora and Charles Henry. The family attend the Congregational Church and are identified with its membership, as well as lib- eral contributors to its charities.

RICHARD L. ANDREWS. Numbered among the representative agriculturists in the vicinity of Hynes is Richard L. Andrews, a prosperous tiller of the soil, who is devoting his time and attention to general farming and dairy- ing. He was born June 10, 1869, in Canada, which was likewise the place of birth of his father, Joshua Andrews.

Learning the trade of a blacksmith when young. Joshua Andrews followed his chosen oc- cupation in Canada for many years, being very successful. Migrating with his family to Cali- fornia in 1881, he resided for two years in San Francisco. Coming from there to Los Angeles county, he followed blacksmithing a number of years, first in Downey, and later at Norwalk. Settling near Long Beach in 1895, he devoted himself to the growing of lemons for a number of seasons, but his fine lemon grove is now in the process of being sub-divided, and from the sale of lots he will realize a handsome in- come. He married Elizabeth D. Moat, a native of England, and of their four children three survive. Politically he is a sound Democrat. active in party ranks, and has served as road overseer. Fraternally he belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and to the Knights of Pythias. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Receiving a limited education in the common schools of Canada, Richard L. Andrews came

l. M. biffon.

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with the family to California in 1881, and in 1883 came with the others from San Francisco to Los Angeles county. Beginning to learn the trade of blacksmith in Downey, he worked with his father until about twenty years old, when he started in business on his own account in Nor- walk. He subsequently spent a year in Port- land, Ore., but on his return continued in busi- ness for himself in Norwalk for a year or more. Changing his occupation then, he rented a part of the Bixby ranch, which he managed about five years meeting with excellent results in his opera- tions. Thus encouraged, he bought, in Novem- ber, 1897, his present fine ranch of one hundred acres, near Hynes, and as a general farmer has since been exceedingly prosperous. He raises good crops of corn and alfalfa and also carries on a large and profitable dairy business, keep- ing about thirty cows.

In October, 1895, Mr. Andrews married Maria E. Harris, who was born in Texas, a daughter of William Harris, a native of Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews are the parents of four chil- dren, namely : Mabel I., Gertrude L., Richard J. and Susie E. In national politics Mr. Andrews is a straightforward Democrat, but in local af- fairs he votes independent of party lines, consid- ering the fitness of the man for the office for which he is nominated.

CHARLES M. GIFFORD. Conspicuous among the industries contributing to the material development of San Diego may be mentioned the olive oil factory and pickling and canning factory established by Mr. Gifford in this city upon a very small scale in 1900, the original plant being limited to an equipment for the pickling of olives. In 1903 an olive canning plant was added for the canning of the largest olives grown in the state, known as Gifford's Best. At the present writing (1906) a factory is under process of construction providing a larger capacity than was previously possible. The new brick structure is 100x100 feet in dimensions and two stories in height, provided with engines of suitable power and with all the equipment necessary for the proper management of the business upon the extensive scale now estab- lished. Competent judges claim that the factory, when completed, will be the finest in the state for the purposes desired, and already the rep11- tation of the plant has become so widely known that shipments are made from points as far distant as Stockton and the San Joaquin valley.

The Giffords are an old eastern family. Hiram Gifford was a contractor and builder in New York and later in Pennsylvania and his son. Frank, a native of the former state, learned under him the carpenter's trade, in all of its

details, afterward following the occupation at Northeast, Erie county, Pa., but eventually re- moving to Illinois to spend his last days. The wife of Frank Gifford bore the maiden name of Kate Linman and was born in New York, but now resides in Los Angeles. Through her father, Peter, the lineage is traced back to Jolin Linman, a native of Denmark. The genealogy of the family shows a direct descent from Mar- tin Luther. In the family of Frank Gifford there were five children, only two of whom are now living. During the Civil war the father enlisted in a Pennsylvania regiment and his four brothers also fought for the defense of the Union.

The next to the eldest among the five chil- dren, Charles M. Gifford, was born at Nortli- east, Erie county, Pa., May 7, 1856, and re- ceived common school advantages. At the age of fourteen he removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio and settled on a farm near Cleveland. When twenty years of age he went to Cheboy- gan, Mich., from which point he and his brother, D. F., ran the steam yacht Katie for two years. On selling the yacht they built the tug Gifford and for ten years carried on busi- ness with the same, selling out in 1886. The following year the Gifford was lost in the Straits of Mackinaw. During 1886 Mr. Gifford made his first trip to California and, being favorably impressed with San Diego county, he removed hither a year later, settling on a ranch eighteen miles east of San Diego. On the land he planted an orange grove and an olive orchard, securing the necessary irrigation facilities from a spring. Later he bought one hundred and one acres ad- joining. Twenty acres of the property were in an orchard, while the balance was devoted to general farm pursuits. While engaged in horticultural and farm pursuits Mr. Gifford's at- tention was directed to the fact that the olive business presented a new and profitable field for investment, and accordingly he began to de- vote himself to the same, with such success that in the fall of 1895 he sold the ranch in order that he might give his time exclusively to business affairs.

The marriage of Mr. Gifford took place in Cheboygan, Mich., and united him with Miss Rachel Wheelock, a native of that city. They have three children, DeWitt. Ruth and Orville, the eldest of whom now assists his father in the factory. Mrs. Gifford is a member of the Christ- ian Church and the family are contributors to its work and missionary activities. Politically Mr. Gifford votes with the Republican party. but takes no special part in local politics and has never been a candidate for office. The San Diego Chamber of Commerce is one of the pro- gressive bodies whose work he upholds by his

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membership and influence. After coming to San Diego he was initiated into Sunset Lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he is past grand. Later he became connected with the Encampment (of which he is past chief patriarch) the Canton and the Rebekahs, to which latter organization his wife also belongs. In preparation for the Grand Encampment of 1905, held in San Diego, he was appointed a member of the executive committee having in charge the plans for the gathering. Those in attendance were enthusiastic in their tributes to the excellent management and sa- gacious ability displayed by those having the work of preparation in charge, and the conven- tion undoubtedly did much to direct the atten- tion of visitors from other points to the superior advantages offered by San Diego as a city of homes and a center of refinement and culture.

WILLIAM ANDREW. There is always a peculiar interest attached to the history of any of those residents of the United States who have come here from a foreign land, and more partic- ularly of those who have settled in that part of it with which we are most familiar. This is es- pecially true of William Andrew, of San Diego, who has had a varied experience during his active career, and has been associated with the actual life of three continents. A son of John Andrew, he was born October 24, 1858, in the highlands of Scotland, his birth occurring in Wick, Caith- ness county, where, among its rugged hills and mountains, he grew to sturdy manhood. His father, a farmer by occupation, spent his entire life in Wick, and his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth St. Clair, was also a life-long resident of Scotland. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom are living, William, the subject of this sketch, and Daniel being the only ones in California.

At the age of fifteen years, having obtained a practical common school education. William An- drew began learning the carpenter's trade in Wick, and two years later went to Edinburgh, where he completed it. In the meantime he at- tended the night schools of that city, further fitting himself for his chosen occupation by tak- ing a course in drawing and architecture. In 1878, making a bold venture, he sailed from Glasgow, Scotland, for New Zealand, going by way of the Cape of Good Hope, and after a voy- age of four months and five days arrived at Dunedin. For two years he followed his trade in that vicinity, after which he enlisted in Company 5, Seventh Regiment, New Zealand Field Force, in which for three years he fought the Maoris. On being mustered out of service he left that country, going around Cape Horn to Rio Jan- eiro, Brazil, where he was employed in carpen-

tering for three months. Not at all pleased with that city he returned to Great Britain and after working for a short time in England went to Scotland, where he assisted in the construction of the immense bridge across the Firth of Forth, being foreman of a gang of men for fifteen months. Immigrating to the United States in 1886, he followed his trade in Philadelphia for two years, and from 1888 until 1901 was em- ployed as a contractor and builder in Chicago, Ill. In 1901 he spent a short time in Louisville, Ky., but not satisfied with his prospects returned to Chicago. In October, 1902, he came to San Diego, and has since been very successfully em- ployed as a contractor and builder, he and his brother Daniel, under the firm name of Andrew Brothers, having had charge of the erection of many of the finest residences in the city. The development of his native mechanical skill and artistic ability, combined with his practical ex- perience, has given Mr. Andrew a complete mas- tery of his trade, and he has obtained recognition as one of the leading contractors and carpenters of this part of the county.

In Glasgow, Scotland, Mr. Andrew married Alexandria Henderson, a native of that city. She died in San Diego, leaving four children, namely : Jessie, George, Arthur and Esther. Mr. Andrew is active in the business circles of San Diego, belonging to the Chamber of Commerce, and to the Master Builders' Association. Politically he is a steadfast Republican; fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and religiously he is a Presbyterian.

JOHN D. FARLEY. From the time of his arrival in San Diego county when he was a lad in his "teens" until the present time, when he ranks among the energetic farmers and stock raisers in the vicinity of Romona, Mr. Farley has borne his share in the agricultural development of his dis- trict and has maintained his position as an hon- orable and high-minded citizen. The family of which he is a member belonged to the pioneer citizenship of the Mississippi valley and his par- ents, Andrew and Susan E. (Finch) Farley, were natives of Jefferson county, Ill., being residents of Burlington, Iowa, for some years after their marriage. While making that city their home John D. Farley was born into their family circle July 20. 1857, and he was a boy of eleven years when the then long journey was made to the shores of the western sea. From 1868 until 1872 the family had their headquarters near Petal- uma. Sonoma county, where the father engaged in raising stock and carrying on a dairy business. but in 1872 he brought the family to San Diego county and bought a claim at Otay. Six months later he removed to Tia Juana, this county, and

John of Judson

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in 1886 he made a final removal to Descanso, where he died in March of the following year, at the age of fifty-seven years. Since his demise the wife and mother has removed to Ramona, where she is now living at the age of seventy- four years.

Accompanying his parents in their various re- movals, John D. Farley assisted his father in farm duties and proved an efficient helper in the de- velopment of ranch land. Upon the death of his father he took charge of the home place and con- tinued to operate the same until 1901, when he sold his interest in the property and removed to a farm near Ramona belonging to his sister, the widow of George M. Stone. Having never mar- ried, he finds a pleasant home with his sister, while she, in turn, has the advantage of his intelligent supervision of the land. The farm comprises about four hundred acres and was purchased many years ago by George M. Stone, a native of Michigan, but from early manhood a resident of San Diego county, where he married Miss Farley at Tia Juana. His death occurred March 8, 1900, and there remained to mourn his loss a large circle of warm friends, besides his wife and their only child, Violet Pearl. The daughter is now a student in the Ramona high school. The farm is advantageously situated in close proximity to Ramona and its value is en- hanced by the fact that gem mining is being conducted on it with excellent prospects of pay- ing results. The mine is known as the Surprise and has yielded white and blue topaz, pink beryl, hyacinth and tourmaline. In political views Mr. Farley has sympathized from youth with the principles of the Republican party and has always given stanch support to its candidates. The only fraternal organization with which he holds mem- bership in Court No. 28, American Order of Foresters, at San Diego.

JOHN BACON JUDSON. The founder of the Judson family in the new world was William Judson, who accompanied by three sons came from England in 1634 and estab- lished a home in the wilds of Connecticut. Some of that name bore a part in the early wars with the Indians, and they were also identified with the original settlement of Woodbury, Conn., where at different times two hundred and seventy-six representatives of the family made their home. From that vicinity Lemon Judson removed to Vermont about 1780 in early manhood and afterward made his home in that state. During the war of 1812 he enlisted in the service of his coun- try and rose to the rank of major. Next in line of descent was Lemon, Jr., a native of Chittenden county, Vt., where he met and

married Philena Bacon, daughter of Lieut. John Bacon, an officer of cavalry in the war of 1812, and a granddaughter of Capt. John Bacon, who was born in 1735 and had the honor of establishing the first iron foundry in the state of Vermont. When the Revolu- tionary war began Captain Bacon was ap- pointed to lead a company of Vermont sol- diers and he remained in their command until he fell on the battlefield of Bennington.

After having engaged in the tannery, shoe and harness business in Canada for eight years. Lemon Judson, Jr., accompanied by his family, removed to Indiana in 1840 and set- tled upon a tract of raw land which he devel- oped into an improved farm. As early as 1856 he came to California and settled on a farm in Sonoma county, but eventually re- moved to the San Pasqual valley in San Diego county ; he died in 1891. at the age of eighty- four years. His wife was born in Chitten- den county. Vt., in 1809. and died some years prior to his demise. Of their twelve chil- dren five are now living, namely : Homer, who makes his home near Whittier. Los Angeles county ; Mrs. Sarah Wilcox, residing at Tus- tin, Orange county; Mrs. Lucy Campbell, of San Francisco; Frank, who is now at Gold- field, Nev .; and John Bacon, who was born in Chittenden county, Vt., November 23, 1829. and now makes his home in San Diego, prac- tically retired from heavy business cares.

When eleven years of age John Bacon Jud- son accompanied his parents from Canada to Indiana, where he attended country schools. Later he studied in the schools of Ypsilanti. Mich., and then taught school in northern In- diana until 1852. when he crossed the plains with teams. For a time he worked in the mines near the old town of Shasta and from there went to Hangtown, where he remained from January. 1853. until the 4th of July, 1854. At the latter date he removed to Sonoma county and bought land, where he engaged in farming. About twenty busy years were passed in that county. at the expiration of which time, in 1875. he sold out and removed to San Diego county, settling upon a ranch of one thousand acres in San Pasqual valley, where. he erected buildings as needed and made other improvements. The land has since been given to his children, and he resides in San Diego, where he owns a spacious and comfortable home. However, much of his time is still spent on the ranch with his chil- dren, for he is more deeply interested in their success than in his own comfort. No one has done more than he to advance farming in- terests in San Diego county. His efforts, con- tinued through a long period of years, were

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

helpful to the cause of agriculture in this lo- cality, proving what could be accomplished by men of energy, judgment and resource- fulness. A man of high honor as well as busi- ness ability, he is respected by acquaintances and esteemed by associates.

The first marriage of Mr. Judson was sol- emnized in Bloomfield, Sonoma county, Cal., in October, 1859, and united him with Rebec- ca, daughter of James Pettit, originally of Elk- hart county, Ind. Mrs. Rebecca Judson died in January, 1900, at the age of fifty-nine years, and two years later Mr. Judson was united with Mrs. Ida B. Latta. His children, eight in number, were born of his first mar- riage, and are named as follows: Charles and Helen, both of whom died at two years of age ; Elizabeth, who married Frederick H. Rob- erts, represented on another page; Andrew, of the San Pasqual valley, who married Mary Boyle of Illinois and has three children; Fred E., who married Lillian Paris, a native of Virginia, and has two children; Newton, who married Harriet Frazier; May, who died at three years of age; and Herbert, who mar- ried Dr. Sophia Johnson and has one child.

Politically a Republican, Mr. Judson al- ways has sunk politics beneath his consider- ation for the welfare of county, state and na- tion. For some time he served as school trustee and from 1891 to 1895 he represented the fourth district of San Diego county as a member of the county board of supervisors. Since coming to San Diego county he has ren- dered helpful service in the interests of the stock business, having been among the first to introduce thoroughbred registered Durham cattle in the county. Later he brought in some fine registered Jerseys. In addition, he was the first man to use a cream separator. He established the first creamery in San Diego county and this he owned and operated until 1903. when he sold out, the plant being taken by a co-operative company. The first barb wire ever brought into San Pasqual val- ley or San Diego county was ordered by him. and he paid twenty-five cents a pound for it in San Francisco, besides paying the freight from there to his ranch. Another helpful con- tribution to the agricultural interests of the community was his sowing of alfalfa, and he was the first farmer to sow this important product anywhere in San Diego county. Since then the raising of alfalfa has transformed the dairy business and has become one of the most important industries of the county. Hundreds of acres are now in alfalfa where before the land lay unprofitable and unculti- vated ; and three hundred separators are now in use in the county, where he was the first

to purchase such a device, so that in. more than one respect he has been most helpful to the agricultural development of the county and is deserving of a high place as a benefactor of the agriculturists in this part of the state.

WILLIAM ALBERT EACHES. A fund of energy, ability and resource was the capi- tal with which William A. Eaches came to California in 1891, at the age of twenty-five, and undertook the upbuilding of his personal fortunes, while at the same time he gave his best efforts toward the material development of the community in which he has made his home for over fifteen years. During this time his name has been associated with a num- ber of enterprises, in Pomona, where he lo- cated in that year, but it is perhaps as pro- prietor of the Opera stables that he is best known, having purchased the stock and equip- ment of the former owner, F. H. Merrill, in 1905.

A native of Missouri, Mr. Eaches was born in St. Louis, on the corner of Thirty-first and Pine streets, August 30, 1866, and on both sides of the family is directly descended from good old Virginia stock. The grandfather on the paternal side, Dr. William Albert Eaches, was an able and distinguished medical prac- titioner in St. Louis. Mo., whither he located after his graduation from the medical col- lege in Washington, D. C. His entire profes- sional life was spent in the former city, and his death removed from that community one of its stalwart citizens. His son, D. A., was born in old Virginia, but as he removed to St. Louis while he was still quite young he was practically reared there. For many years he filled the capacity of city weigher of St. Louis, in fact he held this position until he retired from business altogether, spending his last years in retirement. During young man- hood he chose as his life companion Miss Amanda Quisenberry, who like himself was a native of old Virginia. Her father, Hon. James Quisenberry of that commonwealth, removed to the frontier of Missouri and be- came a pioneer farmer in the vicinity of the present city of St. Louis, where in later years he became well known in legislative circles, representing his district in the state legisla- ture. His strong mental characteristics were borne out in his physically strong make-up, being extremely tall and capable of great physical endurance. Mrs. Eaches is still liv- ing, and makes her home in St. Louis, a spot dear to her through the associations of many years, both of her girlhood years and of her later married life.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

William A. Eaches was the youngest of the two children born to his parents and was the only son. As his parents were well able to give him a good education he passed from the public to the high school, acquitting him- self creditably in each, and thereafter was permitted to complete his education in a pri- vate school. As has been previously intimat- ed, he remained at home until reaching his twenty-fifth year, when, in 1891, he left par- ents and friends and started for the west to make a start in the business world. Coming direct to Pomona in that year he entered the employ of A. I. Stewart, a general contractor in the building of streets, and remained with this employer for about five years. Subse- quently he became interested in freighting be- tween Pomona and Los Angeles, making two trips per week with his eight-horse team and trailers, an undertaking which was remuner- ative until the building of the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad. It was this change in his plans that led him into the liv- ery business, purchasing the Opera stables from F. H. Merrill in 1905. He has since con- tinued the business in the same quarters, No. 245 West Third street, which is a large, com- modious brick structure, giving ample capac- ity for his boarding and sales stables. Be- sides the usual equipment of fine horses and vehicles, he has a number of tally-ho coaches used for pleasure trips to the mountains, one of these coaches having a seating capacity for fourteen passengers. He also runs a stage between Pomona and Claremont, making three trips a day.

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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 32

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